UNIVAZ-106
Amazonite on Cleavelandite
Key-Hole Vug, Ten-Percenter Mine, Teller County, Colorado, USA
Large Cabinet, 16.3 x 13.0 x 6.3 cm
Ex. University of Arizona Mineral Museum
SOLD
This is one of the most famous pockets of Amazonite found, of all time, for its distinctive style. The Keyhole Pocket was found June 20, 1986, and dispersed into the major collections. Hubert MonMonier purchased it at that time. It is one of the larger plates of thsi find that I have seen turn up for sale in the last 20 years, and they will ONLY come up as collections are recycled. As well, nothing quite like it has been found since, with this style of separated, isolated crystals of turquoise-blue nestled in the white matrix of bladed cleavelandite. Remarkably despite its size and mass (over a kilo), there are no repairs or restorations as there are on nearly all sizable amazonites mined in recent times. The large crystal is 2 inches across. From the collection of Hubert De Monmonier (1919-2007), donated by bequest to the University of Arizona Museum to add to their displays; and to provide specimens for the recent sale to establish an endowment fund for museum operations in perpetuity. Joe Budd photos