Potosiite with Franckeite (rare material)

San Jose Mine, Oruro City, Cercado Province, Oruro Department, Bolivia
Small Cabinet, 7.2 x 6.7 x 2.3 cm
Start Time: 11/24/2017 6:45:00 pm (CST)
End Time: 11/30/2017 6:45:00 pm (CST)
Auction Closed

Item Description

From the great find of 2004. This specimen is a very attractive, incredibly rare, superb quality, crystallized specimen of Potosiite consisting of several extremely rare, heavily striated, tabular blades and "v"-shaped twins measuring up to 6 mm sitting atop very rare crystallized triclinic crystals of the lead, tin, iron, antimony sulfosalt, Franckeite. It must be noted that Potosiite was at one point a valied species, but is now defined as a variety of Franckeite. It does not take away from the great rarity and value of the specimen whatsoever. For those of you who are unaware, the Potosiite crystals on this specimen are EXCEPTIONALLY LARGE for the material. Before these new specimens were discovered, some of the largest known crystals of Potosiite were massive, uncrystallized, granules less than 1 mm in most cases. The crystals on this specimen are NOT micros; they are distinct, and you can clearly see them with the naked eye. The best of these specimens are undoubtedly some of the LARGEST KNOWN POTOSIITE CRYSTALS IN EXISTENCE. I have been told that the part of the mine that produced these specimens is now mined out and will most likely never produce these impressive specimens again. Valued at $950.

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