Vivianite with Ludlamite

Item Description

A dramatic floral spray of large sharp vivianite crystals is aesthetically set on the large matrix plate. These large gemmy crystals, to nearly 10 cm, have rich blue-green color and luster. This striking spray is essentially pristine. A few terminations to the right of the central crystal were contacted against the vug walls, but there is no damage, per se. It's very hard to see the gently bruised tip to a secondary crystal to the left of the main prism. The olive-green bubbly botryoidal matrix is nicely accented with a few scattered sharp, glassy green transparent to translucent ludlamite crystals, to 8 mm. This large specimen is from recent finds at this obscure Amazonas State bog iron deposit, where phosphatic nodules have been opened in recent alluvial deposits replacing organic material, lignite and forest soils (MINDAT). We have not seen a better one from here in this size range up for auction but bought a big lot direct, and decided to throw a few to the audience here. I have seen pieces such as this with a few dealers at Tucson and Munich, in particular a European dealer who bought them early and had very similar items at prices of 5000 to 10000 British pounds, for whatever comparison that is worth. Lately, more has come out and although the prices have come down a bit as more production hits the market, this remains a very very fine specimen for the material