large Fluorapophyllite with Stilbite

Item Description

Most people today only know of large green apophyliltes from India but, 50-70 years ago, collectors sought out these rare Brazilian specimens! Pretty bi-colored mint-green, lustrous, translucent, tetragonal pseudo-cubic fluorapophyllite crystals are densely intergrown and cover the undulating, sculptural matrix. Some of the crystals have impressive hoppered terminations, adding much character. A few lustrous, tan, bladed stilbites are attractively set on one edge and are a nice, typical accessory and complement. Most people only think of India for fine large green fluorapophyllite but once upon a time, 50 years and more ago, they came from Brazil! This is a RARE, rich and impressive large old-time fluorapophyllite from a one-time early 1960s find in a railroad tunnel in the famous basalt deposits of Rio Grande do Sul. A bit of bruising, mostly along one edge is noted and is certainly a minimal detraction to this significant and important large fluorapophyllite from Brazil. Prior to the major finds in the Deccan Traps of India starting in the 1970s, this Brazilian find was among the world's best for Zeolite Group specimens. 830 grams or 1.8 pounds mass. Ex Alvaro Lucio, from his longheld personal collection, a well-known Brazilian dealer and collector, from the old guard of dealers who helped build Brazil's reputation for mineral specimens. An excellent and rare large old-time fluorapophyllite from the locale, of museum and display size. Hard to value as we have almost no comparables for anything like this from Brazil.