Kosnarite (named for Rich Kosnar) with several phosphates including Manganoan Zanazziite (ex Rich Kosnar coll) (very rare association)

Item Description

Kosnarite is Potassium, Zirconium Phosphate and was named after Richard Kosnar in 1994. The type locality for this material is Mt. Mica, Maine, and the crystals at that find barely approached 1 mm in diameter. A few years ago, Luiz Menezes made a discovery of what are the finest crystallized Kosnarite specimens in existence with crystals up to 4 mm (which is a quantum leap in size)! This is a specimen from that find featuring sharp, lustrous, yellow color, pseudo-cubic (trigonal) crystals on white Albite matrix. If you look closely, you'll see a small truncated face on each "cube" of Kosnarite on this specimen, which is actually a pinacoid or a "c" face as these crystals are trigonal and not isometric as they might appear. The best aspect of this specimen is that it is associated with several other phosphate species including a spherical aggregates of Zanazziite (Manganoan). The spheres are actualy PINK, due to the fact that the iron in the Zanazziite has been nearly completely replaced by manganese, a great rarity for the species! Addtionally, while looking at the piece under the microscope (see photos), I found crystals of Roscherite, Eosphorite and possibly Greifensteinite and/or Jahnsite! What an amazing assocation specimen! The quality on this specimen is as good as Kosnarite gets from any locality in the world, and the fact that it is associated with Zanazziite is very significant due to the fact that many years ago, when the species was first discovered, Zanazzite was going to be named Kosnarite! So you have the "old" Kosnarite associated with the "new" Kosnarite on the same specimen! For the quality, and amazingly rare association, this piece is a unique specimen, and only a handful were found according to Brazilian sources. This piece will more than likely end up being a great bargain for one of you lucky bidders. Enjoy! Valued at $500 for quality, immense rarity, and the fact that it came directly from Rich Kosnar's personal collection!