Ferberite with Marcasite

Item Description

This is an attracitve display specimen of Ferberite from Bolivia. This species was sometimes previously referred to as "Wolframite", which was supposed to be an intermediary species between Ferberite and Hubnerite but has since been discredited. The piece features great quality, sharp, lustrous, jet-black, tabular/bladed crystals of Ferberite sitting on soft golden Marcasite coating the underlying matrix. The largest Ferberite measures 4.6 cm. Overall, the specimen is in great shape especially compared to the vast majority of specimens which are badly broken. These Bolivian Ferberites are often underrated and stand up well against any other Ferberites from China or Panasqueira. This piece was from a find in 2005 at Tasna. Valued at $800 retail.