Colemanite (large crystals - rare locale)

Item Description

Some of the finest crystallized examples of Colemanite have been found in various localities in the eastern desert of California. This specimen was found in the East Coleman Mine, a lesser-known locality in Death Valley. The pieces features some of the largest crystals I've seen from the locality. They are certainly impressive in terms of sharpness and overall form, as the large group in the center of the group measures 4.6 cm long. You can see there are dozens of very sharp, well-formed, thin, tabular blades of virtually colorless, translucent Colemanite free of matrix. No major damage, but there is some peripheral roughness where it was removed from the pocket wall. Fine quality and very showy. Valued at $1,250.
From the collection of Robert (Bob) Reynolds (#RR0620) who passed in August of 2020. Bob was a well-known fossil and mineral expert and former Curator of Earth Sciences at the San Bernardino County Museum in California. The rare phyllomanganate-chromate species Reynoldsite was named in his honor in 2011.