large Laubmannite (Beraunite, Dufrenite, Kidwellite, etc)

Item Description

A very large and rich specimen of this material from one of the most unusual and important American localities for rare phsophates: radial concentric botryoids of "laubmannite" compose these sculptural growths of crystals from Indian Mountain, Alabama. The botryoids (technical name for such rounded ball-like crystal growths) are pale olive on the outside and dark olive on the interior. Exposed cross-sections reveal radial growth patterns. Goethite is intergrown with the "laubmannite" on the reverse. This mineral is originally the "laubmannite of Moore (1970)" that is currently an unnamed species (discredited and subject to further study); and much of this specimen is undoubtedly a mixture of beraunite, dufrenite, and kidwellite that needs to be further characterized. Ward's Natural Science label (mid-1900s). A very important reference specimen for collectors of such things!