Vauxite with Franckeite, Paravauxite, Metavauxite and Sigloite (plus several other species) (great association specimen!)

Item Description

From the find of 2006, this is undoubtedly one of the most significant and momentous discoveries ever made at this locality. Not since the days of World War II has there been such a remarkable find of this material. This particular specimen is one of the better assocaition pieces that I have seen from Siglo XX. First, one can see that the piece is coated with beautiful, delicate, light blue, bladed crystal aggregates of Vauxite which are associated with rarely seen cubic Pyrite crystals. That association in an of itself is rare for this locality, as Vauxites are not often seen with Pyrite. Secondly and perhaps most importantly, there are a few areas on the specimen where one can clearly see metallic grey blades and radiating groups of the rare sulfosalt Franckeite! This is clearly the only locality in the world where Vauxite and Franckeite are found together. Under high magnification, one can see several other micro species including, very pale green to white bladed crystals of Paravauxite, some of which have altered to tan/brown Sigloite crystals. Additionally there are hundreds of acicular "needle"-like strands of colorless Metavauxite, plus colorless, gemmy Quartz crystals and small radiating groups of white Wavellite. I spent at good 20 minutes looking at the piece, and taking many micro photos as you can see. It should be noted that the Siglo XX mine is the type locality for four of the species on this pieces; Vauxite, Paravauxite, Sigloite and Metavauxite. If you're a micro collector, or a collector of Bolivian minerals, or if you have an interest in multi-association specimens, do not pass up this one-of-a-kind piece. It is certainly one of the more species-rich pieces I have seen from this historic and prolific locality!