Parisite-(Ce) overgrowing Bastnäsite-(Ce) (RARE) (ex Bill and Anne Cook Collection)

Item Description

This is the first and only example of this material that we've ever had to offer. At the center of the specimen is a tabular hexagonal crystal of rich orange colored Bastnäsite-(Ce) which has been overgrown by pseudo-hexagonal "beehive"-shaped crystals of Parisite-(Ce) of a notably similar color. I don't know specifically if this is a transitional phase between species, an epitaxial overgrowth, or even possibly a pseudomorph, but if anybody out there with a bit more knowledge about the relation of these two species would kindly reach out an inform us, we'd greatly appreciate the info. With that said, 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.