Purpurite ps. After Tantalite (unique) ex Chuck Houser Coll.

Item Description

Purpurite is a RARE, purple phosphate primarily found in complex pegmatites as an alteration product of lithiophyllite. This is a RARE, UNIQUE and SHOWY combination/pseudomorph specimen from the Pack Rat Mine of San Diego County. This mine is known to locals but few of its unusual specimens get outside of the County and are jealously hoarded there. A sharply terminated, earthy-brown tantalite crystal has partially pseudomorphed to purple purpurite. I have never seen a combination pseudomorph like this, of this quality. Complete all-around and nearly pristine, with only trivial edgewear on the side of one termination. Older material from the Chuck Houser Collection. Value for such a unique Pack Rat combo/pseudo rarity???