Gormanite with Greifensteinite and Childrenite (rare)

Item Description

Greifensteinite is a very rare hydrated calcium iron beryllium phosphate that is only found in about two dozen localities around the world. The type locality for the species is at Greifenstein Rocks in Saxony, Germany, but some of the best examples of the species are those found in Brazil, which is well known for many superb examples of phosphate species. This attractive specimen actually features three different phosphates starting with gorgeous radial groups of "fan"-shaped monoclinic silvery-bronze colored Greifensteinite crystals sitting on a foliated matrix of very dark greenish-blue colored bladed Gormanite with minor associated with golden-brown Childrenite for a nice accent. I typically associate Gormanite with the phosphates from the Yukon Territory, but Brazil seems to have a little bit of everything, so it's no surprise to see fine quality crystals of Gormanite here as well. The color contrast combined with the rarity is certainly enticing from a collector's standpoint. Good quality all around, and obviously best seen with a loupe or microscope. We've photographed the piece with a Canon MP-E 65 mm macro lens to better illustrate the quality. This is a great rarity for you species collectors out there, and a wonderful association specimen from this famous pegmatite district in Brazil.