Wiluite (ex Al Kidwell Collection)

Item Description

This rare boron-bearing member of the Vesuvianite group is only found in a few worldwide localities, and the most desirable specimens are those from the type locality in Russia. For a long time, these crystals were thought to be a variety of Vesuvianite (as is the case with the accompanying label on this piece), but Wiluite has been a valid species for over 20 years. This specimen is a good quality, sharp, euhedral dark blackish-green color, doubly-terminated prismatic tetragonal crystal, free of matrix. The crystal is nearly a complete "floater", but one end has a tiny bit of roughness, so it's not totally pristine. Still a very nice representation of this classic and hard to find material. From the worldwide mineral collection of Albert Lewis Kidwell (January 1, 1919 - August 16, 2008). Al was a well-known mineral collector and research geologist with Carter Oil Company and later Exxon Oil Company in Houston, Texas. The phosphate species Kidwellite was named in his honor in 1974.