Erythrite (classic locality)

Item Description

A classic and hard to find example of the old-time Erythrites from the Mount Cobalt Mine in Queensland, Australia. This locality is now abandoned, and hasn't operated for decades. This locality is well-known for its beautiful Erythrite specimens that were collected off of the dumps, and typically feature fine micro-crystals. This piece is a lovely small cabinet display specimen featuring highly compressed/flattened "sprays" (which formed in a narrow seam that was opened/exposed to reveal the crystals inside. Upon close inspection, the tips of the crystals are actually well-formed, showing an almost acicular style of crystallization with that deep reddish-pink hue for which the species is known. It's rare to find a piece with this much Erythrite on it from Mount Cobalt, especially these days, as there is virtually nothing on the market from this old cobalt/arsenic mine.
From the worldwide mineral collection of Albert Lewis Kidwell (January 1, 1919 - August 16, 2008). Al was a well-known mineral collector and research geologist with Carter Oil Company and later Exxon Oil Company in Houston, Texas. The phosphate species Kidwellite was named in his honor in 1974 ( https://www.mindat.org/photo-326405.html ).