Normandite (old classic) (ex Bill and Anne Cook Collection)

Item Description

An attractive piece of the classic rare Normandites from the Khibiny Massif in the Kola Peninsula of Russia. Normandite is a complex rare silicate species, part of the Wöhlerite Group, and the best specimens are those from this classic alkaline deposit in Russia. This piece features a 2.6 cm radiating "spray" of orange-brown Normandite on matrix. This is an above average example of the material, and a good piece for any fan of rare minerals. From the collection of William ("Bill") (1927-2006) and Anne (1928-2021) Cook of Cleveland, Ohio. This husband and wife duo were actively involved in the mineral world for many decades. Bill was a PhD geologist, and Anne was a mathematician, and they both were very serious mineral collectors. Bill served for many years as adjunct curator of mineralogy at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, and Anne was inducted into the Micromounters' Hall of Fame on October 12, 2019. Both Bill and Anne, at various times, served as president both of the Mineralogical Society of Cleveland and of the Micromineral Society of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, and Anne was inducted into the mi The rare barium lithium beryllium phosphate Wilancookite was named in their honor in 2015.