Mellite

Item Description

Mellite is actually an organic compound, a bizarre species indeed! It is an aluminum mellitate (benzene hexacarboxylate) hydrate, a rare secondary mineral in lignite deposits. Crystals of this quality are seldom seen and almost exclusively come from this small mine and are certainly the best-of-species. It is believed that most Mellites from here were mined prior to WWII and few have been found since. This piece features a very sharp, translucent octahedron that is 1.8 cm on edge. This is a well balanced, aesthetic, and unusually fine specimen. Ex. Herb Obodda very old dealer stock, and then into the Bill Smith collection. Valued at $500.