Cacoxenite (rare - rich) ex H. de Linde Coll.

Item Description

Cacoxenite is a fairly common complex hydrated Fe-phosphate. It is a secondary mineral found in oxidized zones of phosphatic magnetite deposits, in novaculites, in phosphate-rich pegmatites, and rarely in iron-rich sediments and soils (MINDAT). Mineral specimens, in general, are uncommon and rich cacoxenite specimens, such as this sculptural piece, are RARE from this less well-known Arkansas vanadium mine, that was prospected in 1913 and intermittently mined from 1941 until 1986 (MINDAT). Dense nests and typical radial sprays of tiny yellow to yellowish-brown acicular crystals are dramatically set on the striking sculptural tapered matrix wedge of contrasting partially oxide-coated novaculite matrix. Very choice, rich and rare material from the collection of Henry de Linde (March 21, 1923 – April 4, 2019) of Hot Spring, Arkansas. Henry was one of the most prominent figures in the history of Arkansas mining and mineral collecting. Along with being a miner, mineral collector and an amateur mineralogist, de Linde was one of the founders of the Coon Creek Association mineral club. He was the owner of several key localities in Arkansas including the Diamond Jo Quarry (on the south rim of Magnet Cove), the type locality for Delindeite, which was named in his honor in 1987.