Magnetite on Dolomite (rare locality piece) (ex Kay Robertson Collection)

Item Description

These pieces are not common on the market, and I've only seen a couple of them over the years. Most likely this piece is from the New Idria Mine, but it only came labeled as coming from San Benito County. Sharp, very well-formed, rather lustrous, jet-black metallic octahedral crystals of Magnetite measuring up to 5 mm are sitting amongst contrasting, sharp, very lustrous, pearly white rhombic Dolomite matrix. The Magnetites are not simple octahedra, but have a stepped / built up habit. Fine quality and very attractive to view up close. A great piece to add to a California suite! Ex Kay Robertson Collection (#6355). Kay is a prominent California collector, who specialized in European classics (see the article in the March-April, 2007 Mineralogical Record). A hard to find association piece of this uncommon material from California.