Magnetite

Cerro Huanaquino, Potosi Department, Bolivia
Small Cabinet, 6.8 x 6.3 x 2.7 cm
Start Time: 11/11/2010 6:45:00 pm (CST)
End Time: 11/18/2010 6:45:00 pm (CST)
Auction Closed

Item Description

Typically the Magnetite specimens from this locality are closely grown together, but this piece has good isolation between the crystals. These are also some of the finest quality crystals I've seen from virtually any world locality in this size range. The piece has excellent quality, good size, sharp, lustrous, black, metallic, "Alpine-type" octahedra (some are twinned) associated with cream colored Feldspar on matrix. The largest Magnetite crystal measures 2.2 cm across, which is very good size for the locality. This is one of the better quality specimens of this material that I've offered from this locality in a while, and most of the crystals are in really good shape, save for some minor edge wear. Keep in mind, that there are no other localities producing Magnetites of this quality today, and there are few localities in the world that have ever produced Magnetite like this. Though this species is well known to collectors, it is remarkably difficult to obtain such well crystallized, highly displayable small cabinet specimens as this one. Valued at $750 in the inventory.

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