Muscovite var: Astrolite

Item Description

A rarely seen specimen of Muscovite var: Astrolite from the first locality it was discovered, the Pelz Quarry in Saxony, Germany. Astrolite was considered a valid species for a time, but it is now defined as a variety of Muscovite which forms in radiating aggregates comprising thin bladed crystals. This piece is a nice representative example of the material featuring small patches of slightly greenish-golden colored Astrolite on black diabase matrix. Best seen under magnification. These are certainly rare on the market, and worth picking up if you're a fan of Mica minerals or specimens from Germany/Europe.
From the worldwide mineral collection of Albert ("Al") Lewis Kidwell (January 1, 1919 - August 16, 2008). Al was a well-known mineral collector and research geologist with Carter Oil Company and later Exxon Oil Company in Houston, Texas. The phosphate species Kidwellite was named in his honor in 1974.