Pinnoite (rare borate species)

Item Description

Pinnoite is a rare borate mineral, first reported in 1884 from the Stassfurt Potash Deposit in Saxony, Germany, and only reported from a dozen localities around the world since. The species was named after Johann Pinno, a high-ranking German Mining Official. It's virtually impossible to find specimens of Pinnoite from any locality on the market, but the best known contemporary pieces are those from the "Inder Lake" deposit in Kazakhstan. This piece features translucent, sparkling/drusy, off-white micro crystals of Pinnoite on massive borate matrix. The piece is best seen under magnification. If you collect rare species or specifically borates, do not pass up the chance to get your hands on something that is virtually unseen in today's market. As an aside, Pinnoite in crystallized form, for some reason does not occur at the other most famous specimen locales for borates, in the Death Valley and other mines near Boron, California.