Fayalite (slag crystallization)

Item Description

An impressive big specimen of the iron silicate, Fayalite from the Champion Copper Mine smelter slag locality in New Zealand featuring many fine, sharp, tabular crystals measuring up to 1.2 cm across, sitting on additional somewhat columnar Fayalite matrix. It should be noted that the crystals formed as a post-mining slag product from the smelter, and did not form naturally in the ground. The crystals have a distinctive iridescence on the surface with subtle blue and gold reflections, but when they're backlit, they actually show good internal gemminess, which reminds me of Lazulite from the Yukon showing rich greenish-blue and yellow tones. Certainly the largest example of this material that we've ever had to offer and it's quite pretty for what it is.
From the collection of the recently deceased Alvaro Lucio, arguably the most well-known and accomplished mineral dealer and collector in Brazil. Alvaro graduated with a degree in civil engineering, mining and metallurgy from the Escola de Minas de Ouro Preto in 1949. He began his PhD in the United States and completed it at the Federal University of Minas Gerais. He worked as a professor of extractive metallurgy at UFMG, and also as a technical consultant for several companies in the sector. He was the author of several works, published in books and magazines around the world. He received several honors for his contribution to the development of metallurgy and the introduction of metallurgical physical chemistry in Brazil. His knowledge, solicitousness and enthusiasm will be greatly missed in the mineral world.