We have all seen many neptunites, and hundreds of thumbnail loose crystals. This particular piece, though, has to rank among the finest thumbnails of the species for its mirror luster, full fat thumbnail size, and the amazing matrix combination from which it elegantly rises. This is "definitive" in a way i rarely use the word for mineral specimens. It is beyond textbook quality, and looks carved and formed by man, almost. Along with Benitoite, Neptunite is one of the most recognizable species from this mine, and they are world renowned for their quality and beauty as the best in the world for their species. This piece hosts a superb, razor-sharp, highly lustrous, prismatic crystal of Neptunite, adorned with a bit of white Natrolite, on matrix. And yet, it is hard to separate it from the normal specimen that you might also use such terms for except to say it is better, still. Competition quality at the highest level, it is a special piece (to me, obviously, as you can tell!). This specimen was obtained directly from a field collector and has never been on the market before.