Picropharmacolite (Belsky Coll.)

Item Description

Picropharmacolite is a rare hydrated, calcium arsenate. Two rare related species are featured on this sculptural CABINET plate: a 3.0 cm dense cluster of snow-white, soft-to-the-touch, tufted balls with acicular crystals; and radial clusters of elongate, much larger, brittle crystals on the backside and on an edge. This very fine, very rich and rare, old-time specimen is from the famous St. Marie-aux-Mines. Ex Howard Belsky Collection. His label says that this is picropharmacolite but we assume some is pharmacolite as well. Valued at $500-750 compared to others I have seen.