Vauxite with Franckeite (very rare 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 richest 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. There are several 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. Additionally, under high magnification, one can see several micro species which include, very pale green to white bladed crystals of Paravauxite, some of which have altered to tan/brown Sigloite crystals. Additionally there are small acicular "needle"-like strands of colorless Metavauxite which are typically intergrown with colorless, gemmy Quartz crystals and small radiating groups of white Wavellite. 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.