Vivianite in Fossil Clam Shell

Item Description

These eye-catching specimens are some of the most well-known fossil / mineral replacements out there. They fall into that unique category of being a mineral specimen, a fossil and a pseudomorph altogether. This piece is a rare, excellent and good sized example from the Kerch Peninsula featuring a fossilized mollusc shell which has been partially replaced/ filled with dark sprays of lustrous, variably-sized Vivianite crystals. The Vivianites are black for all intents and purposes, but I suppose you might be able to get a tiny bit of color to shine through with very strong backlighting. I was told that this phosphate pod deposit is now mined through and gone. It is extremely rare to obtain specimens today of this quality and size, so if this is the kind of piece that interests you, don't pass it up, because they fast disappearing from the market.