Senarmontite (very rare) (ex Shields Flynn Collection)

Item Description

Senarmontite is a rare antimony oxide and this excellent crystal is from the type locality in Algeria - the Djebel Haminate Mine. You seldom see any examples of this species in crystalline form except from this locality. this piece is a sharp, silvery-gray octahedron with a waxy luster, free of matrix. It's actually translucent when backlit, and shows a bit of a "wispy" appearance internally. The piece is crystallized on all sides, though it's not a complete "floater", as there is a small point of attachment on the bottom. It's still a remarkable and very good sized example of this rare mineral. Senarmontite is hard to find on the market, and old specimens date back to the old French exploration service BRGM, prior to the 1950s and even as far back as the 1850s. From the collection of Shields Flynn.