T08-82
Spinel on Vesuvianite
Gon Deposit, near Timpton River, Lena River Valley, Aldan, Aldan Shield, (Eastern Siberian, Russia
Thumbnail, 2.7 x 2.4 x 2.0 cm
SOLD
This exquisite matrix miniature of a spinel crystal is complete all around and free of damage, and beautifully terminated. It has a rich "satiny" luster, characteristic of pocket-growth crystals that have never been covered by other rock, or calcite infill which has to be removed with acid. This locality historically produced spinels of this caliber, but they came out 20 years and more ago. This new find at the same old locale has provided us a small new supply of these spinel classics. What is nice, though, is that the overall quality for this combination of size and crystal habit of spinel has not been surpassed in the meantime - they stand as important spinels, not just as interesting locality classics, in other words.