Miguelromeroite (ultra rare) and erythrite

Item Description

Miguelromeroite is an ultra rare manganese arsenate found at only three localities worldwide. It is the manganese analogue to sainfeldite, a very rare calcium arsenate. Originally sold as a Chilean villyaellenite, these specimens have now been re-identified as the new species miguelromeroite (IMA2008-066) a few years ago. Sparkly, magenta, acicular miguelromeroite crystals richly and attractively fill the 1.2 cm vug and are strikingly accented with rose-pink botryoids of erythrite. The backside of the piece reveals the chatoyant sprays of miguelromeroite needles to 7 mm lining the vug. This is an excellent and rare combination specimen. Miguelromeroite was just approved as a mineral species in 2009 and this piece is from the 1997 find by Terry Szenics at the Veta Negra Mine of Chile.