Dalnegorsk has produced a plethora of fabulous specimens representing a variety of mineral species but one of the prominent is Ilvaite, for which Dalnegorsk is widely considered to have produced the best of species in terms of shape and luster, in this size range (China gave us bigger and more expensive ones, but these are still more aesthetic and lustrous, generally). A statuesque, inky-black, super lustrous, 4.5cm, doubly terminated Ilvaite crystal grew from a matrix nest of small, translucent, milky Quartz crystals and fine-grained, black Ilvaite for great composition. Speaking of composition, Ilvaite is an uncommon calcium ferrous-ferric iron silicate. The Ilvaite crystal is lightly striated and also shows some barely noticeable growth features elongated parallel to the length that are subdued by the striations. Herb Obodda Fine Mineral Specimens label. Old material from the 1980s or 1990s