Gormanite (fine crystals) on Muscovite

Item Description

A wonderful showy display specimen of the rare phosphate Gormanite from Linópolis, featuring several fine quality, good-sized "tuft"-like aggregates of a rich blue-green color measuring up to 9 mm, sitting aesthetically on the edge of a thin bladed crystal of Muscovite. The size and quality of the Gormanites is very good for the species, and to find such an eye-catching example like this is certainly rare.
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.