SOLD
MD-118142
Gaudefroyite, Baryte, Andradite
Black Rock Mine, Black Rock, Kalahari manganese fields, Northern Cape Province, South Africa
Large Cabinet, 27.0 x 22.0 x 11.0 cm
SOLD
Museum size and museum quality. Magnificent and rare large (read, HUGE) plate of the extremely rare manganese borate, Gaudefroyite. I have never seen such a large specimen with solid coverage as this. Quality crystals are rare, but this specimen is completely covered by lustrous tabular crystals that are black to deep rust in color. Among the thousand crystals, there are dozens upon dozens that range .5-1 cm in length, many in very attractive radial sprays. Incredible. Associated with the Gaudefroyite are a few sharp, zoned barytes and hundreds of lovely microcrystallized andradite garnets that occur in several groupings, adding both color and contrast to the piece. Amazing and aesthetic, this old piece is a classic.