Talc (var: Steatite) pseudomorph after Mica Schist (ex Kay Robertson Collection)

Item Description

Steatite is a massive variety of Talc and some of the most recognizable specimens are those from the Johannes Mine in Gopfersgrun, Bavaria. This locality is actually mined specifically for the Steatite, and specimens are very hard to find, even in old collections. This piece according to the label is actually a pseudomorph of Steatite after Mica Schist, which is the first of its kind that I've seen. There are actually many pseudomorphs of Steatite replacing other minerals from this mine, including Quartz, Dolomite, Vesuvianite and Calcite, but I haven't seen a replacement after Mica Schist. A really cool old specimen that dates back many decades. Ex Kay Robertson Collection (#3531). Kay is a prominent California collector, who specialized in European classics (see the article in the March-April, 2007 Mineralogical Record and the 50+ page article in the German Magazine "Mineralien Welt" November-December 2017).