Metatorbernite

Item Description

An absolutely exceptional large miniature-sized specimen of these classic African examples of a rare species, Metatorbernites, often called "green wulfenites" when they came out! The neon and metallic color is truly something special - absolutely unparalleled in the Mineral Kingdom. There are several levels of quality in the material dependent on the size of the crystals and more importantly on the luster. This is TOP PERCENTILE and certainly dates to the older finds of the 1970s when such came out. This specimen features superb GLASSY luster, very sharp bladed crystals to 1.6 cm, and an outstanding deep green color that you have to see to believe. It is such a saturated green, it is hard to look at, mesmerizing in detail on the crystals as well. For the size, it is hard to find better. Other examples of this species can be found from other localities, but the old find here remains the best, decades later - and this is a gorgeous specimen, period, for any species. It would add color to any case! Comes with a custom lucite engraved base. When - IF - you see these at shows, anything of this quality would absolutely be priced in the $4-6000 range by any dealer who knows what they have. They are hard to come by, rarely seen in person, and only turn up now in old collections. This one comes with a custom lucite display base we made for it in the early 2000s for another owner, which listed the name, as it was called at the time, as Torbernite. This specimen recently came from the Dr. Vasco Trancoso collection and is donated in his honor by THE ARKENSTONE to the 2023 Dallas Mineral Collecting Symposium benefit auction, with proceeds benefiting Mineralogical Record, Rocks & Minerals, Tucson Gem and Mineral Society, and mindat.org. Vasco was one of the first customers online, back in the 1990s, when John Veevaert and I cofounded and ran The Virtual Show, an online shopping blitz from Tucson each year. We have now finally found where i obtained this a long time ago...this miniature was from the rarities suite of the Dr. Joan Massague collection, originally. Joan is a major collector in the NYC area.  It came from Herb Obodda in 1993, to Joan, and cycled through other collections until now. 

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