Hubeite (TYPE LOCALITY) on Quartz, with Pyrite

Item Description

An attractive and seldom seen specimen of the very rare calcium manganese silicate, Hubeite, this is from the TYPE LOCALITY of the Fengjiashan Mine. Clove-brown, lustrous sprays of Hubeite up to about 7 mm are distrubuted across the Quartz, and it is interesting that they are found more so on the large, gemmy Quartz crystal. This was only found in a few pockets in the late 1990s, jsut after the opening of the mine as a source for industrial silicon for computers (I was undergroudn there last year, and saw thick veins of wollastonite which they mine for silicon. The crystal pockets occur at the edges of those veins). There are even some cubes of Pyrite that add in mineral and visual interest to the piece. Hubeite specimens are very uncommon, and it is especially nice when you find one such as this where the Hubeites are displayed in such a way that they can be appreciated. Very good aesthetics in this combination specimen from the Fengjiashan Mine (Daye Mine) in Hubei Province, which is the only known locality for the species. An old Chinese classic, now almsot never seen on the market.