Cafarsite (rare and fine)

Item Description

The finest and certainly most well-known specimens of rare arsenate Cafarsite are found at the famous mountain of Scherbadung (German name) or Cervandone (Italian name), in the Binntal on the Swiss/Italian border of the Alps. Cafarsite is named after its chemical composition (calcium, iron {Fe}, arsenate), but it turns out that the species has essential fluorine, so the chemical formula is going to be changed soon to reflect this. Additionally it appears that there is also sodium, manganese, aluminum and REE that will be part of the formula as well. This is a superb display piece of Cafarsite from the type locality, featuring several notably luster (most Cafarsites are rather dull, so the luster is important here), dark reddish-brown colored, modified isometric crystals measuring up to 1.0 cm with Clinochlore on matrix. A great miniature sized display specimen of Cafarsite from this classic Alpine locality. You don't see too many specimens with multiple fine quality crystals like this, and the fact that they measure up to a full centimeter is a big deal, as most crystals are measured in mm. No damage that I can find on the front/display side, but it is contacted on the back. Valued at $2,500 for size, quality, multiple crystals and displayability as it sits wonderfully on its own without the aid of a base or clay. From the collection of Colin Manlove.