Erythrite (Currier Collection, by 1966!)

Item Description

Erythrite, in the form of this so-called cobalt bloom, is one of those strangely beautiful minerals that seems so unlikely that at first, they look fake, like pink cotton balls with food dye. From a very few localities worldwide, they came out like this from time to time, with Mexico producing perhaps the richest and largest of this style. This specimen has a large display face just filled with needle-like crystals in concentric radial sprays, all over the surface. It is in remarkably good condition! Not entirely pristine - some crystals are flattened a bit - but near enough given size and age. Interestingly, this is one of the oldest specimens in the famous collection of the late great Rock Currier, number 630, from the mid-1960s! Think about it- the man accumulated something over 10000 specimens and kept this all that time, not being able to find a better one. Donated on behalf of Rock's memory to the Symposium Auction by his friends, this is valued $2500-4500 for sheer size and richness. You simply cannot obtain something like this on the market today.

This specimen is part of the 2022 Dallas Mineral Collecting Symposium benefit auction, with proceeds benefiting Mineralogical Record, Rocks & Minerals, Tucson Gem and Mineral Society, and mindat.org. Thanks to all of our participants!

Billing for this auction will occur on Monday, August 22, for payment using PayPal or a credit card. Shipping will be billed at cost.