Powellite on Fluorapophyllite (2022 find)

Item Description

Powellite is a very rare species in lustrous gem crystals and this is a scintillating honey-colored ridge of powellite adorns a snowy white cluster of blocky white fluorapophyllite crystals, an unusual association for a species more frequently found on scolecite or calcite. These spiky clusters of amber powellite crystals are different in geometry, style, and color from any we have seen before and have an extra bonus - they're strongly fluorescent under UV light (see video). Individual powellite crystals in these clusters reach over 1 cm - huge for the species! The cubic apophyllite crystals look like little frosted ice cubes frozen together, and the powellites are especially aesthetically arranged on this piece; one of the larger specimens from the find that we acquired. The crystals are more "pointy" than usual, and each cluster is made up of many sharp crystals in radial growth, almost like an orange scalenohedral cluster of rhodochrosite from South Africa. There's a bit of damage to the left cluster, and a of couple points missing in the center cluster, but given the large number of powellite crystals on this piece, the damage is minimally distracting. The bright fluorescence on these is shocking! This was from a 2022 find in India brought to market by KC Pandey and family. It was valued by them at the time at $5000-6000.

This specimen is part of the 2024 Dallas Mineral Collecting Symposium benefit auction, with proceeds benefiting Mineralogical Record, Rocks & Minerals, Tucson Gem and Mineral Society, and mindat.org. Thanks to all of our participants!

Billing for this auction will occur on Monday, August 19th, for payment using PayPal or a credit card. Shipping will be billed at cost.