Eitelite is an EXTREMELY rare carbonate mineral species, found in masses of grains or smears at a very few locales (see MINDAT: http://www.mindat.org/min-1360.html). Interestingly it was named after the scientist who first made it in the lab, rather than a natural crystal or example. Thus, natural, large eitelite specimens are unprecedented, even more than with most rare species, and this surprise new find released at the show was a big surprise for those who collect the rarities. These attractive specimens seem to be true crystals of eitelite, though grown in conjoined, lamellar masses. The top may be a contacted termination, where it grew against a constricting matrix of the pocket.

Mined in December of 2010, in the last really great cuprite pocket, this was a miner'sholdback specimen and has just come to market. This large and extremely impressive cuprite cluster features sharp, lustrous octahedrons, with good luster and a slight translucence. It is colored a deep red with vibrant lustre, strongly red when backlit (as shown, an extreme with a torch on it). Although complete on the display face, and all around, there is contact on the bottom face. It is very 3-dimensional. This stands upright and 3-dimensionally instead of in flatlaying plates, as most do. It is a superb miniature, of high quality. Based on current production here (and this mine is almost through its oxidation zone where these form), i do not anticipate more of this style. The new material at Tucson 2012 was of a different, in my opinion uglier, style.