Cylindrite (very rare)

Item Description

This is a very rare of specimen of one of the most unique species in all the mineral kingdom. Cylindrite is a lead, iron, tin, antimony sulfosalt that naturally forms in "cylinder" or "tube" shaped crystals, hence the name. I'm told that there is an explanation to their form that can be explained thusly. The crystals are composed of two sheets or layers of crystals that form in nearly parallel growth. The further these layers crystallize from the core, the more distortion or rotation is seen in the layers, which causes them to "curve" and form the unique shape. This piece features many crystals of bright silvery metallic Cylindrite on matrix. The largest crystal measures 7 mm long. The Santa Cruz Mine at Poopo is the type locality for the species. A great opportunity for any collector to own a species rarely seen for sale in today's market.