SOLD
RARE08-2-82
Nadorite
Djebel Debar, Hamman, Meskhootine, Constantine Province, Algeria (TYPE LOCALITY)
Miniature, 4.7 x 2.9 x 2.7 cm
Ex. Dr. Jean Behier
SOLD
This is a bizarre lead/antimony species. Discovered in 1870 at this and a nearby locality, nadorite today remains super rare, and the best crystals still are known only from 100-year-old finds at this remote location made by the old French geological exploration department. Specimens of this size and caliber, let alone with large crystals in any quality, are exceedingly few. I was privileged to have had the famous example from the Encyclopedia of Minerals, out of the Asselborn Collection. While more aesthetic than this one, it was smaller and much more expensive as well. This piece, really, is no slouch and is certainly better than any other I have seen on the market. Ex. Jean Behier Collection. Behier was a noted French geologist who worked to help develop Madagascar's mining industry for many years. His collection was purchased around 2004 by Alain Martaud and dispersed. This piece, Alain kept in his own personal collection until exchanged to me recently. (TYPE LOCALITY)