Stibiotantalite (rare) (ex Bill Larson Collection)

Item Description

Stibiotantalite is an antimony tantalum niobium oxide. It is an uncommon accessory mineral in complex granitic pegmatites. This attractive small cabinet sized piece features fine quality, terminated, tabular, translucent, golden-brown crystal of Stibiotantalite measuring 5 mm associated with multi-color (pink and green) Tourmaline crystals plus bladed white Albite (var: Cleavelandite), and beautiful purple groups of "Lepidolite" Mica sitting on a tan-grey colored partial crystal of Microcline. The Tourmaline crystals on this specimen vary from thin gem "pencils" to an unusually tabular crystal flaring off the side of the piece. You don't see many Stibiotantalite specimens from this mine with such wonderful associated minerals, and this is certainly of the most colorful overall specimens of this material that we've ever had to offer in the auctions. Don't miss out on this beautiful and hard to find piece from one of the most famous pegmatite localities in the United States. Priced at $1,500 retail. From the collection of Bill Larson of Fallbrook, California. Bill is a well-known gem and mineral dealer as well as a miner and collector. Bill is synonymous with minerals of San Diego County, and owned and operated famous mines such as the Stewart Lithia, the Tourmaline Queen, the Pala Chief and the Himalaya, producing some of the most iconic mineral specimens to come out of the area during the 1970s-1980s. You can read his biography at https://mineralogicalrecord.com/biographies_labels/larsonwilliam-f/