Cryolite (Type Locality) ex John Sinkankas & Paterson Mus. Coll.

Item Description

An impressive large "ore" specimen of cryolite from the famous Greenland Type Locality. The white, translucent, waxy luster massive piece has interesting opposing cleavage planes on the sides. Cryolite was used as an aluminium ore and later in the electrolytic processing of the aluminium ore bauxite. Ivigtut was the world's only mine for cryolite (MINDAT). This is an uncommon substantial solid example of this rarity from the Paterson Museum Collection, where it was on display. It has a fine provenance having been a gift from John Sinkankas, famous collector, mineralogist, author, bibliophile, bookseller, lapidarist and gemologist.