Hydroxylherderite (rare purple color) with Albite

Item Description

This piece comes from a discovery in the early 1980s at the famed Xanda Mine. Hydroxylherderite is found in many different hues, but I think most people would agree that the most desirable color for the species is purple. This piece features a very sharp, well-formed, lustrous, translucent, euhedral, monoclinic crystal of light purple Hydroxylherderite sitting atop bladed white Albite. The Herderite measures 2.5 cm, and with the exception of the base of the crystal, it's in fine condition. A very attractive specimen of a species that is not often found in well-formed examples with a rare color, beautifully sitting on matrix. Purple minerals are rare in general, and if you eliminate Amethyst and Fluorite, all you have left for the most part is Scapolite, Spinel, Zoisite (Tanzanite) and uncommon species like Hydroxylherderite. Valued at $1,750.