Vauxite with Franckeite (very rare association specimen!)

Item Description

This piece comes from the important, singular discovery in 2006. These specimens were undoubtedly one of the most significant and momentous discoveries ever made at this locality. Truly, not since the days of World War II has there been such a remarkable find of this material. This particular specimen is one few examples of this incredibly rare association that I have seen from the Siglo XX Mine. Immediately you can see that the piece is coated with beautiful, delicate, light blue, bladed crystal aggregates of rare phosphate Vauxite, but looking closely, you'll also see there are multiple areas featuring radiating groups (almost "flower"-like in appearance) which measure up to 5 mm across, comprising metallic grey blades of the rare sulfosalt Franckeite on the piece as well! This is certainly the ONLY locality in the world where Vauxite and Franckeite have ever been found together. Additionally, under high magnification, one can see radiating groups of beige colored Wavellite and transparent Quartz crystals, plus tiny acicular "threads" of what I believe to be Metavauxite. It should be noted that the Siglo XX mine is the type locality for Vauxite (and Metavauxite). When it comes to rare minerals, specimens can be on the smaller side, but this piece is an impressive LARGE CABINET sized example, maybe the largest one featuring this association in existence. Honestly, I can say that perhaps the best aspect of this piece is that these rare minerals have formed on a sturdy Quartz porphyry matrix, not crumbly decomposing Allophane, which is often seen in association with the phosphates from this mine. If you're a rarities collector, a collector of Bolivian minerals, or if you have an interest in incredibly hard to find multi-association specimens, do not pass up this remarkable specimen. It's impossible to put a fair market value on a piece of this size and rarity, but I can say that it could be a very long time before you see another like it, so don't miss out.
This piece was personally acquired by Brian Kosnar at the Siglo XX Mine and brought back from Bolivia in 2006, shortly after it was found.