Vanadinite on Hollandite stalactites

Item Description

These old pieces came out in the 1970s, and today remain both scarce on the market and too often confused with modern material from Mibladen. This is a much more remote site, deep in the desert and near the border with Algeria. It is more a pit in the ground that leads into deep caverns in the rocks, than a proper mine per se (I was told this by Steve Smale who actually drove out there to look at the place, with his wife, some 20 years ago). This is a really elegant example of the classic form of vanadinite found here, isolated sharp hexagons on contrasting black stalactites. It is special because it has such drama, in the form and relation of the sizes of the stalactites, and because it is nearly complete all around (with minimal damage, most of these are terminated!). The individual vana crystals reach 5mm in size, typical of this style and association. The overall aspect of these specimens is Unique in the mineral world. it was then, and remains so now - nothing like this combo is found at Mibladen in specimens of this magnitude, in recent mining. These tend to be valued quite highly and I would not be surprised at all to see this at a show at $3000-5000 range pricing. From an old private collection, just obtained.