Epidote (GEM ''Faden'' crystal group)

Item Description

Epidote is found in multiple world localities, in fine crystallized specimens, but many collectors regard the Alpine and "Alpine-type" examples as the best and most desirable specimens of the species out there. For a long time, world-famous Alpine localities like the Knappenwand in Austria produced the finest examples of the species ever found, but going back to the 1990s, there were a good number of superb quality Epidote specimens coming out of the "Alpine-type" deposits in the high Pakistani mountains around Shigar. These beautiful and excellent quality specimens rivaled the finest crystals from Europe, and what really set the Pakistani specimens apart was not just the size, luster and sharpness, but they were rather gemmy(!), which is not commonly seen from European examples. In recent years, we've noticed that it has become increasingly difficult to find top Epidotes from this locality, as my friends in Pakistan tell me that little is being found. This gorgeous display specimen hosts superb, sharp, lustrous, GEM quality crystals with a lovely green hue, free of matrix. The piece is what is called a "Faden" group, a fairly well-known phenomenon for the species. "Faden" is the German word for "string" and you can clearly see how the piece grew along the thin fibrous "string" that runs all the way across the central portion of the specimen. There are a few minor points of contact, but the piece largely in great condition. You just don't see pieces like this on the market now, and if you consider that most Epidote crystals around the world are "black" and opaque, this piece is in the higher echelon in terms of quality for the species. Valued $1,500.
From the "Alpine-type" collection of Richard A. Kosnar (1946-2007), the well-known mineral dealer and collector from Colorado, who was the namesake for the phosphate species Kosnarite.