Phenakite (old classic)

Item Description

A fine old classic Phenakite specimen from the type locality for the species, the Izumrudnye Kopi area in Russia. A lot of the old labels simply have this locality listed as Malyshevo (or some iteration as I've seen it spelled multiple ways) as well as Tokovaya / Takowaja, but the correct name is Izumrudnye Kopi. This piece is a wonderful matrix display specimen featuring a 2.4 cm, white rhombic crystal with fairly well-formed faces and moderate translucency, sitting atop typical schist matrix. The crystal itself is in good condition, though contacted on one edge, but still very presentable and attractive in person. These specimens are incredibly rare as they came out in the 1800s. From the personal collection of Brian Kosnar, accompanied by a label from noted rarities dealer Josef Vajdak, Pequa Rare Minerals.