Tiptopite (incredibly rare) et al.

Item Description

Tiptopite is an incredibly rare potassium calcium sodium beryllium phosphate species, that is only found in ONE PLACE in the world, the famous Tip Top Mine in Custer Co., South Dakota. Obviously this mine is the namesake for the species, but there are actually 12 other minerals for which the Tip Top Mine is the type locality. This piece comes from the well-known South Dakota dealer, Tom Loomis and was originally part of the Grenier Collection. The specimen features micro white Tiptopite crystals along with dark brown-green Roscherite plus tiny spots of pinkish Montgomeryite and white/colorless Fairfieldite sitting on a chunk of pale blue-green Beryl. Obviously the piece is best seen under magnification, but if you're a rarities collector, a fan of phosphates or if you just collect minerals from the type locality, don't miss out on this one. The locality is long closed and good Tip Top phosphate specimens are few and far between on the market today.