Ellestadite (ex Matioli Collection)

Item Description

A most unusual, rare and impressive specimen of "Ellestadite" (we can't confirm which species it is) showing notably large, sharp, well-formed, fairly THICK, prismatic, off white colored, prismatic, FREE-STANDING crystals on matrix. The largest crystal measures 2.8 cm, which is VERY big for Ellestadite. This mineral is part of the Apatite supergroup (Ellestadite subgroup) but is a calcium silicate as opposed to a calcium phosphate like Apatite species. I can't rave about how sharp and well-formed the crystals of Ellestadite are on this specimen, since so many are incredibly crude when they approach this size, and most well-formed crystals are microscopic. From the collection of Paolo Matioli, whose label accompanies the piece, as I cannot find a listing for Ellestadite from any locality in Chile.