Vauxite

Item Description

Vauxite is a mineral that has a great history, a great rarity, and also happens to be one of the most rare and beautiful blue minerals you can get. We almost never see a good specimen turn up anymore, as they only come out of recycling old collections (as did this one, last in 2003!). Plus, in any kind of size beyond micros, these ONLY COME FROM one location, the type locality of the Siglo XX Mine in the high mountains of Bolivia. Vauxite is one of the three rare Bolivian phosphate minerals (metavauxite and paravauxite are the other two), discovered and named by the late Sam Gordon in the 1930s during one his famous collecting trips, after the great Vaux family of collectors and philanthropists. Rounded, sparkling aggregates, to 1.0 cm across, are composed of lustrous and translucent, dark blue vauxite. This is an absolutely superb, well balanced, three-dimensional specimen with unusual quality and presence. These have not been found in this quality since the 1980s. Ex. Martin Zinn rare species family collection (sold in 2003, to Arkenstone; and then sold to Dr Vasco Trancoso in Lisbon, with whom it has remained until now). This is a competitie miniature, rich and 3-dimensional. That is important,as most are thin plates. Valued $3000-4000.

This specimen is donated by THE ARKENSTONE and is part of the 2023 Dallas Mineral Collecting Symposium benefit auction, with proceeds benefiting Mineralogical Record, Rocks & Minerals, Tucson Gem and Mineral Society, and mindat.org. Thanks to all of our participants!

Billing for this auction will occur on Monday, August 21st, for payment using PayPal or a credit card. Shipping will be billed at cost.