Christelite (exceptionally rare)

Item Description

Christelite is an exceptionally rare hydrated copper zinc sulfate species, which according to mindat.org is only found at FIVE localities on Earth. The species was named in 1996 after Christel Gebhard-Giesen, who is the wife of Dr. Georg Gebhard, the well-known expert on minerals of Tsumeb. Terry Szenics originally brought this material back from Chile, and it was Christel who discovered the mineral. This piece still retains a label from Szenics under the name Aurora Mineral Corp. This impressive small cabinet specimen is from the San Francisco Mine in Chile, which is the type locality for the species, and is a fine example loaded with intense greenish-blue micro crystals of Christelite on matrix. The piece is best seen under magnification. These are virtually impossible to obtain on the market, and a piece of this size and richness is highly desirable. From all accounts, there will be no more of these pieces, so if you missed out on them back when they were available, or if you collect rarities or species from the type locality, don't miss out on this one.
Ex R. D. Mushlitz collection.