Tantalite-(Mn) (GEM crystal) (ex Kay Robertson Collection)

Item Description

Very well-formed, rather sharp, GEM quality, euhedral orthorhombic crystal of glowing red Tantalite-(Mn) (formerly Manganotantalite) from the famous Alto Ligonha District of Mozambique. This area has produced some of the finest crystals of Tantalite-(Mn) in the world in terms of color, sharpness and overall form. Although this crystal is small, it's still Ex Kay Robertson Collection (#8690). Kay is a prominent California collector, who specialized in European classics (see the article in the March-April, 2007 Mineralogical Record).