Bixbyite on Rhyolite (ex Kay Robertson Collection)

Item Description

This rare iron manganese oxide is not seen is fine crystallized specimens very often these days, and these are among the most classic of species from the western United States, ESPECIALLY on matrix! Here we have a classic Bixbyite specimen from the famous Thomas Range in Utah. Aside from Red Beryl, this is the most sought after and recognizable mineral from the area. The Bixbyite crystal is the focal point as it has rather sharp, lustrous faces and meaures 7 mm sitting beige-sandy colored rhyolite. Probably mined circa 1970s-1980s. Great quality and very showy. Valued at $950. Ex Kay Robertson Collection (#8645). 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).