Novacekite-I (rare and classic material) (ex Kay Robertson Collection)

Item Description

Novacekite is a rare and desirable member of the Autunite Group, and specimens from Brumado are among the most sought after in the world. I think it goes without saying that the finest example of Novacekite (specifically Novacekite-I) is the famous specimen that passed over the years from Alvaro Lucio to collectors like Steve Neely and Joe Freilich. It's next to impossible to find any specimens of this material from Brumado these days, and this thumbnail specimen is a great example that would make a fine addition to any rarities collection, a thumbnail suite, collection of U-minerals or even a Brazilian mineral suite. I believe the best of these specimens were found in the late 1960s or early 1970s, but they are not coming out anymore according to our friends in Brazil. Bright yellow, platy, tabular, triclinic crystals of Novacekite-I are attached to a bit of matrix to create a showy and good quality example of this rare hydrated magnesium uranium arsenate. No real damage that I can see on this display side. Certainly rare and in demand on the market. Valued at $950. Ex Kay Robertson Collection (#12082). Kay is a prominent California collector, who specialized in European classics (see the article in the March-April, 2007 Mineralogical Record and the 50+ page article in the German Magazine "Mineralien Welt" November-December 2017).