Cafarsite (rare arsenate)

Item Description

The 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. The species got its name from this 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, so the species might have to be renamed to Canafemnaltiarsite. This is an excellent display piece of Cafarsite from the type locality, featuring a sharp, bronze colored, altered, modified octahedral crystal measuring 8 mm with Clinochlore on matrix. This is a very good representative specimen of Cafarsite from this classic Alpine locality. The piece comes with labels from noted dealer Scott Williams and another label from Hamel Mining and Minerals. Valued at $650.