Mellite is actually an organic compound, a bizarre species indeed! It is an aluminum mellitate (benzene hexacarboxylate) hydrate, a rare secondary mineral in lignite deposits. Crystals of this quality are seldom seen and almost exclusively come from this small mine and are certainly the best-of-species. It is believed that most mellites from here were mined prior to WWII and few have been found since. This piece features very sharp faces with some clay inclusions. Ex. Herb Obodda very old dealer stock, and then into a private collection for several decades. For the size, this is a well balanced, aesthetic, and unusually fine specimen.