Hydroboracite ex. Halpern Coll.

Item Description

Emplaced on a color-contrasting gray matrix that is actually a mass of large gorgeyite crystals, is a cluster of discrete rosettes of lustrous, light lemon-yellow, hydroboracite. They SPARKLE! The largest rosette measures 1.6 cm across. Only rarely does this species crystallize in specimens of this quality. The mineral is so rare in this quality, it should easily fool most (nearly all!) bystanders looking at the piece. I have seen just a handful, presumably all from one freak pocket, of this material over the years. Jack purchased this in the mid-90s as much interestign Russian material flowed out to market, not for the rarity at all, but because it was simply pretty in a style and form unique compared to other minerals. It is a rarity that fits nicely, in other words, into any display collection based on flash and color (which foremost, is what Jack likes). Valued $750-1000. NOTE ADDED: I am told that hydroboracite is not yellow by nature from other locales, and the color in specimens from this locale is most likely due to prebrazhenskite inclusions.