Magnetite (excellent crystal) with Peridot

Item Description

Magnetite is not by any means a rare species, but it is incredibly hard to find crystals of this size and quality from any locality. The well known Sapat Gali deposit has been producing some of the finest crystals of Peridot ever found for decades, but what makes these specimens even more special is the fact that they are sometimes found with Magnetite! The combination of the metallic Magnetites with the glowing gemmy Peridot crystals is striking and gorgeous. This miniature display specimen features an excellent quality, very sharp, euhedral, well-formed, impressive dodecahedron of Magnetite measuring 2.3 cm associated with a few sharp, gemmy / translucent, bright lime green colored prismatic crystals of Peridot and no matrix. The piece is actually nearly a complete "floater", as the back is fully re-crystallized ("re-healed") where it became detached from the pocket wall. The Magnetite crystal itself is the real star of the show here, as it is not only large and sharp, but it's incredibly smooth. Typically, the Magnetites from this locality will either show heavy striations or they end up terribly rounded / distorted, so they don't have great crystal form. I have to say that this is almost certainly the best individual crystal that I've had to offer in the auctions, the only thing going against it is a ding right in the middle of the front edge, otherwise it's in great shape. Most collectors do not have a specimen of this material in their collection, and despite the ding, I still say it is a very important and fine quality specimen of this elusive and eye-catching material.