Celestine (classic material)

Item Description

Some of the finest and most well-known crystals of Celestine are those from the Sakoany deposit in Madagascar. These specimens have been coming out for decades (the deposit was first discovered along the Betsiboka River in 1967), but they remain as some of the best crystallized examples of the species, with some of the largest and gemmiest crystals ever found. This showy cabinet sized piece hosts many very sharp, highly lustrous, rather gemmy, prismatic crystals of a soft silvery-blue color measuring up to 3.8 cm on matrix. Most of the crystals are in fine condition, with no visible damage, and I can only find a few minor rough spots with the naked eye. A great example of these classic Celestines.
From the collection of the recently deceased Alvaro Lucio, arguably the most well-known and accomplished mineral dealer and collector in Brazil. Alvaro graduated with a degree in civil engineering, mining and metallurgy from the Escola de Minas de Ouro Preto in 1949. He began his PhD in the United States and completed it at the Federal University of Minas Gerais. He worked as a professor of extractive metallurgy at UFMG, and also as a technical consultant for several companies in the sector. He was the author of several works, published in books and magazines around the world. He received several honors for his contribution to the development of metallurgy and the introduction of metallurgical physical chemistry in Brazil. His knowledge, solicitousness and enthusiasm will be greatly missed in the mineral world.