Shirozulite in Tephroite (ex Matioli)

Item Description

A VERY rare specimen of the obscure manganese magnesium aluminum silicate, Shirozulite from the type locality, the Taguchi Mine in Japan which is a defunct manganese mine that actually produced some killer Pyroxmangite crystals back in the day. Shirozulite mineral is only found in two places in the world, and this is the ONLY piece of this mineral that we've seen from this mine. Micro reddish-brown Shirozulite is mixed with pinkish Tephroite in this thumbnail sized specimen. Best viewed with a loupe or microscope. From the collection of Paolo Matioli, and comes with an Excalibur label.