Rutile on Pyrophyllite

Item Description

A rare locality piece, in fine and competitive quality from a California locale that is important to industry and the growth of northern California (this was the original Champion Spark Plug Mine for material!). A sharply crystallized, very lustrous, black rutile crystal, 2 cm in length, is aesthetically emplaced on a dark tan matrix. The crystal is nearly pristine, save for a small color splotch atop where you can see a little bit of the matrix is ingrown into the crystal surface. The crystal is so incredibly mirror-bright, that you can actually see REFLECTIONS in the first photo, of the surrounding pyrophyllite crystals upon the face of the rutile facing the light! Crystals of this size and sharpness, with luster, are extremely rare for this very remote California locale. Old classic! Ex Bob Bartsch collection via Rock Currier. Valued $1000-plus.