Vanadinite on Baryte

Item Description

This is a hefty large cabinet-sized piece of this most classic material from Mibladen. For several decades, without argument, the finest Vanadinites in the world have been coming from this area. The geography and climate is largely responsible for these specimens to have formed where they did, as the dryness in area created an environment for lead and vanadium oxidize and crystallize without the disruption of precipitation. This piece features a coverage of dozens of sharp, lustrous, deep red colored tabular hexagonal crystals of Vanadinite measuring up to 6 mm across, sitting on white bladed Baryte with dark grey-black oxide on matrix. I think most collectors would agree that white Baryte is the most optimal matrix for these excellent Vanadinite crystals. The crystals show a mixture of smooth hexagonal faces along with some slight skeletal or "hoppered" growth in areas. There are some contacted areas, but the piece is largely in very good condition overall and quite showy in person. As mentioned, the piece is hefty, weighing in at 1,170 grams (2 pounds, 9 ounces).
Ex Bob Byers collection, by way of the Jean Lee collection.