Hydroxylherderite (purple twin)

Item Description

From an older find for this famous gem district. I think most people would agree that the most desirable color for Herderite (more properly Hydroxylherderite) is purple. This piece features a very sharp, well-formed, lustrous, gemmy, euhedral, monoclinic, "fishtail"-twinned crystal of purple Hydroxylherderite with minor bladed white Albite near the termination. A very attractive, undamaged gem crystal specimen of a species that is not often found in well-formed examples with a rare color. Purple minerals are rare in general, and if you eliminate Amethyst, all you have left for the most part is Fluorite, Scapolite, Spinel, Zoisite (Tanzanite) and uncommon species like Hydroxylherderite. Valued at $2000-$2500.