Monazite twin (rare locale) ex Behier & Asselborn Coll.

Item Description

Mineral specimens from this obscure Madagascar pegmatite worked for gem beryl are RARE. This is a very rare, extremely sharp floater monazite crystal from this locale. Monazite is a REE phosphate found in phosphate-rich pegmatites. The moderately lustrous light brown tabular crystal has striking and distinct V-twinned termination. This superb example is nearly pristine and has only a small bruise on the front on the side car crystal. RARE material from the Jean Behier Collection, 1903-1965. He became a pegmatite specialist and helped to develop the mining industry in Madagascar, starting in 1953. He was the author of numerous mineralogy books and articles on Madagascar and was also a mineral dealer. Ex Eric Asselborn Collection. An outstanding and rare Madagascar monazite. valued $1500