Kermesite (rare 1990s find - superb miniature!)

Item Description

This is a lovely, divergent, cluster of purplish metallic Kermesite crystals from China from a single rare find in the 1990s. The larger crystals radiate from a single point and intersect a smaller Kermesite spray with both composed of slender prismatic crystals displaying a dark plum, bright metallic luster characteristic of this mineral but at its best in the Chinese specimens. The piece shows the textbook morphology and color-luster and the two sprays are associated with three, small, 3 to 5 mm, colorless to Calcite rhombs at the junction of the cluster, to set this miniature off nicely. Nicely composed! This is one of the best miniatures from the find, and the best I have seen for sale in nearly 20 years. It is dramatic, elegant, sparkly, and has importance for the find. A comparable specimen from Germany or QueQue (Zimbabwe) would be priced at $2000 and there is no reason that this should not be valued similarly. These have not been seen on the market in a long time! A significant Chinese rarity, as well. Nobody in China has these, believe me - I have been to most of the museums and major private collections there. These came out before much rare material was kept by Chinese collectors. It is a prize.