Cookeite (RARE) ps. Tourmaline ex Larson Coll.

Item Description

VERY RARE and showy pseudomorph from this much less well-known San Diego County pegmatite discovered in 1899. Worm-like stacked aggregates of RARE pearlescent Cookeite plates, a Chlorite Group species, have completely replaced a trigonal tourmaline crystal, with striking sculptural cavernous effect. The Esmeralda Mine was worked heavily in the early 1900s, and not again until the 1950s and 60s by John Sinkankas and others. See: https://www.mindat.org/loc-91270.html for more information on the pegmatite. This exceptional and rare old pseudomorph undoubtedly dates to the 1950s and 60s finds. Formerly in the Ken Rippere Collection, college roommate of Bill Larson. Ex Bill Larson San Diego County Pegmatite Collection and long on display at his Pala International shop in Fallbrook.