BORCARITE in huge, novel quality for the species in association withsharp tetragonal CAHNITE crystals

BORCARITE in huge, novel quality for the species
in association withsharp tetragonal CAHNITE crystals

Every now and again, nature throws mineral collectors for a loop, providing aestethic large crystals of species generally considered to be the kind of "rock" that is used for reference only. This is the case with this find of BORCARITE from mid-2011. Only a small pocket zone was hit, in this rapidly growing mine complex in Inner Mongolia, amidst so much other more glamorous and identifiable material (fluorite, calcite, ilvaite, hedenbergite, and other good things...). No more has been found before or since to my knowledge; and despite holding this lot for 6 months while mining progresses to see if more would be found. I am told that some portion of the uglier specimens in the pocket were actually discarded, literally thrown in the dump, as "cheap zeolites." I bought the entire lot available that I could get ahold of, as an unknown species at the time. Analysis at the University of Arizona laboratory of Robert Downs showed these elegant, blue crystals to be the mineral BORCARITE - in crystals that are several orders of magnitude better than any previously known (the mineral having been described from grains in rock). The Smithsonian Museum purchased a sample from me as I showed it to other academics, and Paul Pohwat of the Smithsonian drew attention to the sharp white-gray tetragons atop the borcarite. Analysis at both the Smithsonian and at the University of Arizona labs has proven the white crystals to be, surprisingly, Cahnite. This makes the find doubly special. Here we have world class crystals of borcarite, a unique association with cahnite, and the first cahnite of any real quality found in nearly 100 years (since a small pocket zone at the Franklin Mine circa 1900). Most collectors could never own a cahnite crystal, of ANY size. Here, there are literally hundreds of them, all atop beautiful blue borcarite. Many of these specimens are fairly sizable and can be broken into numerous pieces for trading or resale - and probably will, as there just are not enough of either species around the market. While more might be found here, as mining progresses, so far this looks like a completely aberrant occurrence.

US$ € EURO ¥ YEN £ POUND CAN$ AUS$
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BORC-09 - Cahnite with Borcarite - £ 582
Huanggangliang mine, Keshiketeng Qi, Chifeng city, Inner Mongolia, China
thumbnail, 2.6 x 1.6 x 1.0 cm

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Foliated and curved growth highlights a few crystals, to 1 cm in length, of lustrous and slightly translucent, seafoam green colored borcarite. They are festooned with Sharp, 2 mm-long crystals of lustrous and translucent, colorless cahnite. Superb and robust piece

BORC-27 - Cahnite with Borcarite - £ 970 SOLD
Huanggangliang mine, Keshiketeng Qi, Chifeng city, Inner Mongolia, China
miniature, 3.0 x 2.5 x 2.1 cm

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A very rich specimen with sharp cahnites to 1mm and a bit more, slathering the surface of blue, saddle-shaped, world class borcarite crystals. A very choice combo piece from this pocket, find, and offering at a fair price to get a substantial amount of both species.

BORC-26 - Cahnite with Borcarite - £ 485 SOLD
Huanggangliang mine, Keshiketeng Qi, Chifeng city, Inner Mongolia, China
thumbnail, 2.6 x 1.9 x 1.3 cm

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An attractive thumbnail specimen with sharp saddle-shaped crystals of lustrous and translucent, seafoam green, borcarite, to 1.6 cm in length. They are festooned with sub-mm to 1-mm-sized but sharp, lustrous, grayish-white crystals of cahnite.

BORC-25 - Cahnite with Borcarite - £ 485 SOLD
Huanggangliang mine, Keshiketeng Qi, Chifeng city, Inner Mongolia, China
miniature, 3.6 x 2.0 x 1.8 cm

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This is an intergrown cluster of lustrous and translucent, seafoam green borcarite. The largest crystal, at 1.4 cm in length, is also doubly terminated. Sharp, lustrous, grayish-white cahnite crystals are attached to the borcarite. Superb display miniature!

BORC-24 - Cahnite with Borcarite - £ 485 SOLD
Huanggangliang mine, Keshiketeng Qi, Chifeng city, Inner Mongolia, China
miniature, 4.3 x 3.6 x 2.0 cm

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Sharp translucent crystals, with a few being doubly terminated, highlight a cluster of interconnected, seafoam green borcarite (crystals to 1.3 cm in length). There are also numerous small, lustrous, grayish-white, cahnite crystals attached to the borcarite.

BORC-23 - Cahnite with Borcarite - £ 647 SOLD
Huanggangliang mine, Keshiketeng Qi, Chifeng city, Inner Mongolia, China
miniature, 4.2 x 3.4 x 3.0 cm

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A very elegant, aesthetic miniature with both species in top quality. Several, lustrous and translucent, seafoam green, borcarite crystals , to 1 cm in length, are doubly terminated. In addition, the specimen has numerous, Sharp, lustrous grayish-white, cahnite crystals (around 1mm, some a bit larger) emplaced on the borcarite.

BORC-22 - Cahnite with Borcarite - £ 1164 SOLD
Huanggangliang mine, Keshiketeng Qi, Chifeng city, Inner Mongolia, China
small cabinet, 6.5 x 6.5 x 2.7 cm

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One of the few larger pieces of the single pocket found: Most of the lustrous and translucent, seafoam green crystals of borcarite, to 1 cm in length, feature thick , foliated growth. Numerous, Sharp, lustrous cahnite crystals festoon the borcarite.

BORC-21 - Cahnite with Borcarite - £ 1552 SOLD
Huanggangliang mine, Keshiketeng Qi, Chifeng city, Inner Mongolia, China
small cabinet, 7.4 x 6.6 x 3.9 cm

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One of the few larger pieces of the single pocket found: This cluster of borcarite crystals, to 1.4 cm in length, features tabular crystals that exhibit foloiated growth. The crystals are lustrous and translucent and exhibit an eye-pleasing seafoam green color. Numerous, Sharp, lustrous grayish-white cahnite crystals abound on the borcarite (to 1-2 mm).

BORC-20 - Cahnite with Borcarite (best cahnite miniature in lot) - £ 1940 SOLD
Huanggangliang mine, Keshiketeng Qi, Chifeng city, Inner Mongolia, China
miniature, 4.6 x 3.4 x 1.9 cm

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A superb, aesthetic miniature - one of the finest overall. Borcarite crystals, to 1 cm in length, are lustrous and translucent. The color approaches a teal blue and attractive. But more than that, the specimen is festooned with probably a hundred sharp, lustrous grayish- white cahnite crystals to 2 mm in size. Both species are beautiful, and truly rare, here. The price is a little higher than others because the color on the larger pieces isn't always as blue as in the smaller ones, and this piece is more colorful than most.

BORC-19 - Cahnite with Borcarite - £ 970 SOLD
Huanggangliang mine, Keshiketeng Qi, Chifeng city, Inner Mongolia, China
small cabinet, 7.2 x 4.4 x 4.0 cm

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One of the few larger pieces of the single pocket found: Tabular, interconnected, lustrous and translucent, seafoam green crystals of borcarite, to 1.3 cm in length, make up this cluster. But more than that, the specimen is festooned with probably a hundred sharp, lustrous grayish- white cahnite crystals to 2 mm in size. Both species are beautiful, and truly rare, here.

BORC-18 - Cahnite with Borcarite - £ 1617 SOLD
Huanggangliang mine, Keshiketeng Qi, Chifeng city, Inner Mongolia, China
small cabinet, 7.7 x 6.0 x 2.8 cm

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One of the few larger pieces of the single pocket found and with among the largest cahnites, too! : A large, doubly terminated borcarite crystal measuring 1.9 cm in length, highlights this cluster of lustrous and translucent, seafoam green crystals. The borcarite is world class, literally, and aesthetic on its own merits. But more than that, the specimen is festooned with probably a hundred sharp, lustrous grayish- white cahnite crystals to 2 mm in size. Both species are beautiful, and truly rare, here. The price is a little higher than others because the color on the larger pieces isn't always as blue as in the smaller ones, and this piece is more colorful than most.

BORC-17 - Cahnite with Borcarite - £ 970 SOLD
Huanggangliang mine, Keshiketeng Qi, Chifeng city, Inner Mongolia, China
small cabinet, 6.9 x 4.9 x 3.1 cm

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One of the few larger pieces of the single pocket found: A multi sided specimen, this cluster features at least two doubly terminated crystals, to 1.6 cm in length, of lustrous and translucent, seafoam green borcarite. DOZENS of sharp grayish-white crystals of cahnite to 1mm (and maybe a bit more) are scattered over the borcarite cystals.

BORC-16 - Cahnite with Borcarite - £ 970 SOLD
Huanggangliang mine, Keshiketeng Qi, Chifeng city, Inner Mongolia, China
miniature, 5.0 x 3.7 x 2.1 cm

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Equally displayable from any direction, this mass of crystallized borcarite features tabular, lustrous and translucent, seafoam green crystals to 1.6 cm in length. A rich coating of sharp, lustrous white crystals of cahnite to just over 1mm, are scattered over the borcarite crystals.

BORC-15 - Cahnite with Borcarite - £ 1164 SOLD
Huanggangliang mine, Keshiketeng Qi, Chifeng city, Inner Mongolia, China
small cabinet, 8.1 x 4.8 x 3.1 cm

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One of the few larger pieces of the single pocket found: This is a solid mass of crystallized borcarite crystals to 1.3 cm in length with several exhibiting a foliated or parallel growth arrangement The crystals, a few of which are doubly terminated, are lustrous and translucent with a lovely seafoam green color. HUNDREDS of sharp grayish-white crystals of cahnite to 1mm (maybe a bit more) are scattered over the borcarite cystals.

BORC-14 - Cahnite with Borcarite (group of thumbnail specimens) - £ 582 SOLD
Huanggangliang mine, Keshiketeng Qi, Chifeng city, Inner Mongolia, China
thumbnail, 1.9 x 1.4 x 1.1 (Largest of 6)

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A resale or trading lot special deal: Slightly curved, lustrous and translucent. teal-colored borcarite crystals, to 1 cm in length are covered by lustrous and translucent,colorless crystals of cahnite, to 2 mm in length. Very good combo pieces and study specimens in this lot!

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Rob Lavinsky, rob@irocks.com

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