DEN13-980

Hydroxyl-Herderite

Miniature, 4.3 x 3.2 x 2.8 cm

Virgem da Lapa, Minas Gerais, Brazil

SOLD

The classic find for this species was here at the Xanda Mine in October of 1978, as detailed in Peter Bancroft's great book, Gem & Crystal Treasures. One pocket of these amazing lavender-colored herdertes was hit, just after a pocket of the blue topaz that made this mine even more famous. Many collectors still consider this find to be the most important find for this species, which is normally a brownish to gray mineral of lesser beauty. However, there are few complete crystals, and fewer still on the market today - coming up only as old collections are recycled. This crystal, complete all around, has the classic lavender color you would want in a Xanda herderite. Joe Budd Photos.