Vanadinite on Baryte (fine classic material)

Item Description

Without question, the finest examples of Vanadinite are those from the Mibladen District in Morocco. These world-class specimens are truly the finest examples of the species known. Although these amazing specimens have been coming out for a multiple decades at this point, they are still the standard for the species and remarkable, as nothing can rival their superior color and quality. Fine specimens are still highly valued on the market today, and it's easy to see why. This is a fantastic, big showy cabinet specimen of this classic material featuring excellent, sharp, well-formed, tabular hexagonal crystals with that classic red color, measuring up to 1.2 cm across, sitting on beautiful bladed white Baryte matrix. I think most people would agree that Baryte is the most coveted matrix for these crystals. I can't find any damage of note on the front display side, which is pretty impressive for a piece this size. The glistening luster combined with the lovely red hue and sharpness of the crystals are certainly significant. If you collect Vanadinites (or minerals of the Apatite Group), Moroccan minerals or just really attractive examples of classic material, don't pass this one up. It was DIFFICULT to photograph, and we really tried to convey the quality, but the piece really looks better in person. Valued in the inventory at $5,000 for size, quality and the highly desirable Baryte matrix. 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".