This solid specimen is probably one of the richest known examples of the mineral and is composed of intergrown, bladed crystals of glassy and gemmy, nearly colorless volkovskite, an uncommon hydrated potassium calcium borate. Individual crystals reach 2.5 cm in length. They are emplaced on a mass of intergrown, lustrous, salmon-colored hilgardite, with crystals to 8 mm across (another uncommon borate mineral as a bonus!). This is part of a small group of no more than a few dozen good quality specimens, that was recovered by a worker in the mine a few years ago. In all the past working at this large economic mine, which has produced the world's greatest examples of boracite and hilgardite in the past, I had never seen an example of this species. It was, seemingly, a one-shot pocket found like a needle in the proverbial haystack. This piece can be broken into several good study specimens, as well. ex. Tim Sherburn collection