Lazurite (ex Al Kidwell Collection)

Item Description

Recently over the last several years, Lazurite was discredited as a valid mineral species, and was being classified as a sulfide-bearing variety of Hauyne. Thankfully in 2021, Lazurite has been reinstated, so we can now resume labeling all of our Lazurite specimens accurately. This piece is a classic and rarely seen old-time piece from Ovalle, Chile featuring rich blue Lazurite with streaks of contrasting white Calcite and minor Pyrite creating a beautiful piece of Lapis Lazuli. It's every bit as comparable to the classic Lapis specimens from Afghanistan, but from a MUCH more obscure locality. From the worldwide mineral collection of Albert Lewis Kidwell (January 1, 1919 - August 16, 2008). Al was a well-known mineral collector and research geologist with Carter Oil Company and later Exxon Oil Company in Houston, Texas. The phosphate species Kidwellite was named in his honor in 1974.