SM20-464
Sodalite var. Hackmanite
Pitawak Mine, Kokscha Valley, Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan
Small Cabinet, 6.9 x 5.1 x 3.0 cm
Ex. Herb Obodda
$6,000.00 $4,500.00
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A cluster of Hackmanite crystals graces the top of a piece of Calcite matrix on this engaging piece from the Koksha Valley in Afghanistan. This is a rare and large matrix specimen from this locality and it hosts an intense, saturated purple cluster of Hackmanite crystals. There are three large, relatively distinct crystals that comprise the cluster along with a smaller group placed at the intersection of the three. The large crystals are all sharp and well formed on front and sides, contacted on the back, although 3-dimensional enough to display well. These crystals tend to occur embedded in the marbles at this locality and seldom do you get a pocket crystal that formed in an open space, and thus has better luster and form than most like this. This piece, however, grew in such a manner, which partly explains why it looks so different from the vast majority of generally more pale, "worn-looking" examples from this locality (which has now produced the world's best of species compared to older locations in Canada and elsewhere!). There is also a large knot of poorly crystalline Hackmanite in the matrix in front along with several smaller clusters disseminated about the piece. As a bonus, the Hackmanite has an intense neon pink fluorescence under long wave UV light. A rare, display-quality, aesthetic specimen of this rare species that has color and balance, and so fits on a shelf with "fancier" species perhaps. An old specimen from before 2010, from Herb Obodda's old dealer stock, and not contemporary in this quality.