Minasragrite with Patronite (ex Josef Vajdak specimen)

Item Description

An exceptionally rare specimen of the very rare vanadium sulfate, Minasragite with the nearly equally rare Vvandium sulfide Patronite from the Ragras Mine (Mina Ragra) in Peru. Micro material, but nearly impossible to obtain on the market. The bright blue Minasragrite efflorescences from the underlying Patronite. The term efflorescences means "to flower out" in French, and is the movement of a substance to the surface of a porous material, where it forms a coating. The essential process comprises the dissolving of an internally-held salt in water, or occasionally in another solvent. This is one of only two pieces of this material that we've seen, and comes with a classic label from Josef Vajdak / Pequa Rare Minerals, which immediately increases the value. You can read Joe's biography here: http://www.minrec.org/labels.asp?colid=1371