Vanadinite (Arsenic-bearing) (ex Dave Bergman Collection)

Item Description

A classic and rarely seen arsenic-bearing Vanadinite specimen from Touissit, Morocco. Most people are familiar with the famous red Vanadinites from Mibladen, but these elusive arsenic-bearing crystals were found in the mid to late 1970s, and were never really found again in any great quantity. Originally these were thought to be (and marketed as) specimens of Pyromorphite, but analysis showed they are what used to be called "Endlichite", (formerly a valid species), but it's all now defined as a variety of Vanadinite. This piece features large, fine quality, sharp, well-formed, robust, hexagonal prisms measuring up to 2.2 cm, sitting on matrix. Minor Mottramite can be seen on the piece as well. The crystals range in color from a tarnished bronze hue to a pastel butterscotch color to a soft dusty yellow tone. The piece is in fantastic shape with no major damage that I can find, only a few small nicks here and there. This is old material, very rarely seen on the market these days, you can only get them from old collections. Valued at $4,500. From the collection of Colorado mining legend, Dave Bergman. Dave is now retired, but among other things, he was the foreman and primary person in charge of recovering specimens at the famous Sweet Home Mine near Alma, Colorado during the late 1970s. He is also the maternal grandfather of Brian Kosnar. See Dave's photo mining at the Sweet Home on page 58 of Peter Bancroft's book "Gem and Crystal Treasures".