Hydroxylherderite on Microcline

Item Description

Hydroxylherderite is an uncommon phosphate species, and some of the best contemporary examples are those from the high mountain pegmatites in the Shigar Valley of Pakistan. These crystals are notably GREEN, which is rare for the species, but they also have been found in fine quality, sharp, well-formed crystals on matrix! These green crystals only came out in a few pockets and is one of the rarest of Pakistan pegmatite species in specimen form. This wonderful, aesthetic full cabinet sized display piece is features a good sized (3.8 cm), sharp, translucent, soft sage-green crystal of Hydroxylherderite perched atop thick, blocky, off-white Microcline crystal matrix. No damage that I can find, and a beautiful big example of these now hard to find specimens. Valued at $2,000-$2,500. From the collection of Richard ("Rich") A. Kosnar, the well-known mineral dealer and collector from Colorado, and the namesake for the rare zirconium phosphate mineral, Kosnarite, who assembled an impressive suite of pegmatite minerals over his lifetime. This particular specimen was acquired from Dudley Blauwet in 2005.