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6.5 x 6.3 x 3.8 cm. Emplaced on a color-contrasting gray matrix that is actually a mass of large gorgeyite crystals, is a cluster of discrete rosettes of lustrous, light lemon-yellow hydroboracite. The color may be due to the presence of preobrazhenskite. The largest rosette measures 1.6 cm across. Only rarely does this species crystallize in specimens of this quality. I have seen just a handful, presumably all from one freak pocket, of this material over the years. Jack purchased this in the mid-1990s as much interesting Russian material flowed out to market, not for the rarity at all, but because it was simply pretty in a style and form unique compared to other minerals. Ex. Jack Halpern Collection.
4.7 x 3.8 x 3.0 cm. Hydroboracite is a rare hydrated borate. This is a very fine specimen of diverging sprays of large, waxy lustre, blades nicely set in matrix. I like the way the largest spray is front and center, in the most prominent position. Old material from Death Valley. Rarely crystallized in such quality as you see here.
ex. Al Ordway
A superb example, very aesthetic, of this rare borate! Emplaced on a knoll of matrix is a spiky ball of lustrous and translucent, elongate white crystals, to 1 cm in length, of hydroboracite ( a calcium and magnesium rich borate).
ex. Al Ordway
This specimen was collected in 1970 by Jim Minette and Dave Wilber, as noted on the Minette label accompanying. The specimen consists of prismatic, lustrous and translucent, white crystals to 1 cm in length nearly covering a massive matrix of the same species (i think). It is in any case a rather large, rich example of this rare borate, and one of the largest I have seen in the collections of these few people who specialzied in California borates
ex. Al Ordway
Emanating from a sliver of matrix is an aesthetic, radiating cluster of acicular, lustrous and translucent, colorless crystals, to 2 cm in length. This specimen was collected in 1970 by Jim Minette with Dave Wilber. Superb example for this rare species
From a late 2011 find, at this inactive old mine, these are just incredible crystals for the species! They are large, and have incredible luster to them. The piece looks more like a scolecite from India, because of the size and brightness, and it is hard to relate to other generally small and dull-lustre examples of this species I have seen from other localities. A very surprising find, for rarities that appeared at the Tucson 2012 show. This was one of the larger specimens with good crystals. Note it has pockets sticking out all around.
From a late 2011 find, at this inactive old mine, these are just incredible crystals for the species! They are large, and have incredible luster to them. The piece looks more like a scolecite from India, because of the size and brightness, and it is hard to relate to other generally small and dull-lustre examples of this species I have seen from other localities. A very surprising find, for rarities that appeared at the Tucson 2012 show. This was one of the larger specimens with good crystals. This is a rich and very bright specimen, that is gorgeous, aside from its significance for the species
From a late 2011 find, at this inactive old mine, these are just incredible crystals for the species! They are large, and have incredible luster to them. The piece looks more like a scolecite from India, because of the size and brightness, and it is hard to relate to other generally small and dull-lustre examples of this species I have seen from other localities. A very surprising find, for rarities that appeared at the Tucson 2012 show. This was one of the larger specimens with good crystals. This is a rich and very bright specimen, that is gorgeous, aside from its significance for the species. It was the most aesthetic of the larger examples I saw, and has an important, upright crystal cluster that displays well. All Content and Design ©1996-2012 The ArkenstonePowered by http://mineralwebsites.comMineral Specimens by species; or by specimen id. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||