"Pyrochlore" with Tetraferriphlogophite (ex Matioli)

Item Description

A cool rarity from the collection of Paolo Matioli featuring sharp, lustrous, dark brownish colored octahedral crystals of a member of the Pyrochlore Group (almost certainly Fluorcalciopyrochlore in this case) measuring up to 6 mm associated with white Albite and the fairly recently approved Mica species, Tetraferriphlogopite. It should be noted that there is no species "Pyrochlore" anymore, as the nomenclature was updated in 2010 to now include over a dozen species of various "Pyrochlores". This piece is a classic example of the material from the Vishnevye Mountains, and would make a great addition to a rarities suite.