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Nifontovite
For the first time in some 70 years, gem crystals of nifontovite were
found in Charcas recently! The last reported find of crystallized
nifontovite larger than microcrystalline size was by Dr. Fred Pough,
in the 1940s, who obtained while at the site a single superb larger
crystal (now in the Smithsonian collection) and a few little shards
for analysis. These gorgeous gem crystals are the pick of the new lot:
WATER-CLEAR and clean, with glassy lustre - they are much brighter in
person due to the difficulty of shooting something so clean, gemmy and
reflective. So far as I know, this update represents over 90% of the
specimens found that were sharp and well terminated. IN PERSON, THESE
ARE SO GEMMY, AND SO TRANSPARENT, AND SO COLORLESS THAT THE CAMERA HAS
TROUBLE FOCUSING - THEY ARE MUCH BETTER IN PERSON!
By way of emphasis, here is what the material normally looks like:
MINDAT photos: http://www.mindat.org/gallery.php?min=2902
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A stunning, totally gem crystal with a perfect termination; and absolutely glassy, transparent surfaces. Some very slight damage on the lower portion of the back side, though still a giant and killer by any previous standard!
A stunning, very elegantly tapered and elongated, gem crystal of total perfection with a bit of attached matrix! Obscenely good for the species.
A tall, perfect gem crystal with a perfect termination; and transparent surfaces minutely speckled with microcrystallization - though not so detracting to lustre in person as it appears in the photo..
A really bright and incredibly gemmy, fat crystal - a "cutter" !
Unusually steep and bevelled termination on a stunning, perfect gem crystal with a perfect termination; and absolutely glassy, transparent surfaces. Superb for species!
This is a stunner, an intergrown doublet of crystals with a merged body and merging into one termination that is unusually steep and bevelled , perched atop a stunning, perfect gem crystal ; and absolutely glassy, transparent surfaces. One of my favorites!
A super gem crystal, a monster by any previous standards and stunningly clean and transparent!
A stunning, very elegantly tapered and elongated, gem crystal of total perfection! Obscenely good for the species.
A super gem crystal, a monster by any previous standards and stunningly clean and transparent!
Unusually steep and bevelled termination on a stunning, gem crystal with a perfect termination; and absolutely glassy, transparent surfaces. However, it is cleaved on the back side, from top to bottom I think.
A stunning, perfect gem crystal with a perfect termination; and absolutely glassy, transparent surfaces.
A dramatic, even more unusually steep and bevelled termination on a stunning, perfect gem crystal with a perfect termination; and absolutely glassy, transparent surfaces. MUCH cleaner in person than it looks
A stunning, perfect gem crystal with a perfect termination; and absolutely glassy, transparent surfaces. It is pristine and complete all around save for 1 small contact (not damage) where another crystal grew running diagonally, upon the back face.
A stunning, perfect gem crystal with a perfect termination; and absolutely glassy, transparent surfaces. It is pristine and complete all around save for 1 small contact (not damage) at the top, upon the back face.
A stunning, perfect gem crystal with a perfect termination; and absolutely glassy, transparent surfaces. It is pristine and complete all around save for 1 incredibly small 1.25mm contact (not damage) on the back face.
(click on a page number to go to that page:)
page 1 / 2 - 25 specimens selected - next - top - back to the Galleries
Rob Lavinsky, rob@irocks.com
All Content and Design ©1996-2012 The Arkenstone
Mineral Specimens by species; or
by specimen id.
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share specimen![Nifontovite from Charcas, San Luis Potosi, Mexico [db_pics/pics/nifo-13a.jpg]](db_pics/pics/nifo-13a.jpg)
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