MIX18-46
Wurtzite
Merelani Hills, Lelatema Mts, Simanjiro District, Manyara Region, Tanzania
Miniature, 4.5 x 3.0 x 1.4 cm
$3,500.00 Payment Plan Available
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These remarkable crystals, considered by all who have seen them to be the best of species, started to trickle out in early 2013 and were mined previously in 2012 from a single pocket. They are extraordinary examples without peer compared to other world occurrences for color and translucence. This large single crystal is unusually elongated, terminated on one end and displays horizontally striated prism faces. The color resembles a "rhodonite red" and is opaque in the thickest part and translucent in the thinner areas and on the single termination. Complete on the top, front and partially on the sides and contacted on the back where attached to a matrix of other wurtzite crystals. Found in the gem mines of Merelani and associated with tanzanite is this uncommon zinc sulfide, wurtzite. Wurtzite is a polymorph of the more well known zinc sulfide sphalerite. This crystal exhibits good resinous luster along with a rich red color and a large display face. From an early 2013 pocket, and few enough were found. Weighs 32 grams.