Libethenite (ex Josef Vajdak)

Item Description

Here we have a classic Slovakian Libethenite featuring a sharp, lustrous, deep green crystal group measuring 4 mm across. The species typically forms from weathered Apatite crystals, and is one of the most distinctive and beautiful colors for a mineral species. These specimens are not terribly common on the market today, and good European Libethenites are always in high demand. The locality at Lubietova (Libethen in German and Libetbanya in Hugarian) potentially dates back as far as the bronze age in 3000 BC, and was one of the most important copper producing localities in Europe for a long time. If you're a species collector, be sure to get this one! This piece comes with a classic label from Josef Vajdak / Pequa Rare Minerals, which immediately increases the value. You can read Joe's biography here: http://www.minrec.org/labels.asp?colid=1371 Vajdak's label says that it's very rare to find pieces from this locality dating to 1823.