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Potosiite on Franckeite (rare material) (large crystals)
- San Jose mine, Oruro City, Cercado Province, Oruro Department, Bolivia
- Miniature, 4.8 x 3.6 x 2.7 cm
- Start Time: 07/14/2011 6:45:00 pm (CDT)
- End Time: 07/21/2011 6:45:00 pm (CDT)
- Auction Closed
Item Description
From the great find of 2004. This specimen is a very attractive, incredibly rare, superb quality, crystallized specimen of Potosiite consisting of several extremely rare, lustrous, heavily striated, tabular blades (some are actually twinned) measuring up to 9 mm sitting atop crystallized triclinic crystals of the lead, tin, iron, antimony sulfosalt, Franckeite. It must be noted that Potosiite was at one point a valied species, but is now defined as a variety of Franckeite. It does not take away from the great rarity and value of the specimen whatsoever. For those of you who are unaware, the Potosiite crystals on this specimen are EXCEPTIONALLY LARGE for the material. Before these new specimens were discovered, some of the largest known crystals of Potosiite were massive, uncrystallized, granules less than 1 mm in most cases. The crystals on this specimen are NOT micros; they are distinct, and you can clearly see them with the naked eye. Despite their larger size, I did photograph them under the microscope to better illustrate their quality. These are undoubtedly some of the LARGEST KNOWN POTOSIITE CRYSTALS IN EXISTENCE. I have been told that the part of the mine that produced these specimens is now mined out and will most likely never produce these impressive specimens again. Valued at $1500 in the inventory for crystal size, quality and immense rarity.