Bustamite (large crystal) ex Gebel Coll.

Item Description

This partially translucent crystal of bustamite, a fairly rare calcium & magnesium silicate, is huge, measuring almost 10 cm in length. Seldom do you see such robust and imposing examples of this species! It has good luster and the upper 1 cm of this crystal is really translucent. It has a lovely orangey-brown color. For the species it is rather large - 331 grams. With contrasting splendent, gray, galena adhering in matrix, this is a very rare and important piece. Ex Dr. Jim Gebel Collection. (formerly offered on behalf of a customer in our $500 reserve auctions ; he has now agreed to let it go at no reserve. I believe this to fairly be worth $750-1000 on the normal show market for such esoterica.)