Catapleiite on Microcline

Item Description

The world's finest examples of catapleiite, a rare Na-Zr silicate, originate from the renowned Poudrette Quarry. This specimen features a relatively large, transparent single 1.3cm-across crystal of catapleiite, uniquely perched on a sharp, tabular microcline stalk for a pedestal! Remarkably, this crystal is notably thick, which is uncommon for the species, as they are typically found as parallel growths or thin blades. This is an excellent and aesthetic thumbnail specimen, making it a standout example of catapleiite from this famous locality. Ex Jingnan (Tom) Zhang.