D05-11
Botryogen, Copiapite
Mina Santa Elena, Alcaparrosa, San Juan, Argentina
Small Cabinet, 8.2 x 5.1 x 5.0 cm
SOLD
According to the collector, this was his best larger specimen. It is extremely rich with vugs and clusters of botrygen all over it. On its own, aside from the rarity, it is a colorful and unusual piece. Particuarly colorful is the central radial spray of botrygen crystals to 2 cm, covered on their terminations by the rolling carpet of beige copiapite. In fact, this specimen has killer crystals of that mineral as well (lower-right photo), showing elongated triclinic copiapite crystals to 4 mm in size, perched on botrygen.