Vivianite (ex Dave Bergman Collection)

Item Description

The Vivianites from Tomokoni are inarguably some of the finest quality Vivianite specimens from any Bolivian locality. They are some of the sharpest, gemmiest and most LUSTROUS examples ever seen from anywhere in Bolivia. This miniature size piece features very sharp, highly lustrous, saturated emerald green colored, sword shaped "textbook" crystals of Vivianite with minor metamorphosed (silicified) Sandstone. I can't find any damage of note, but there is a bit of intergrown Sandstone on the angled edge of the termination. The piece is still in superb condition compared to most you'll ever see from this locality, because over 75% of the specimens from Tomokoni had SERIOUS damage problems, so this one is still very good in terms of its condition. The internal color is beautiful when the piece is backlit, and you have to keep in mind that Vivianite crystals from Bolivia rarely show this combination of gemminess, sharpness and high reflective luster. From the collection of Colorado mining legend, Dave Bergman. Dave is now retired, but among other things, he was the foreman and primary person in charge of recovering specimens at the famous Sweet Home Mine near Alma, Colorado during the late 1970s. He is also the maternal grandfather of Brian Kosnar. See Dave's photo mining at the Sweet Home on page 58 of Peter Bancroft's book "Gem and Crystal Treasures".