SOLD
UTR21-089
Iowaite (superb large XL)
Palabora Mine, Loolekop, Phalaborwa, Limpopo, South Africa
Thumbnail, 1.5 x 1.5 x 0.15 cm
Ex. Dr. Wouter Van Tichelen
SOLD

Iowaite is a very rare hydrated sodium-iron chloro-hydroxide and although the Palabora Mine in South Africa has produced the best crystals for the species ever found from the same pocket as this piece here, surprisingly the mineral was discovered in diamond drill core in Sioux County, Iowa! This thumbnail of Iowaite looks very much like a very well-formed, small Vanadinite crystal with its deep red color and sharp hexagonal shape. It is a remarkable and large crystal for the species at 1.5 cm in maximum dimension and exhibits a rich red color with diffuse charcoal colored internal patterns, all of which are even more apparent with backlighting where it shows the crystal to have transparent to translucent edges! This Iowaite crystal is actually one larger crystals with several, smaller crystal in perfect parallel growth around its periphery. It is in perfect condition! Almost never seen available, and this is a stunning thumbnail! From the rarities suite of the Dr. Wouter Van Tichelen collection (Belgium), this is a competitive, display quality thumbnail specimen of a world class crystal for the species.