Xenotime (RARE) ex Behier & Asselborn Coll.

Item Description

Xenotime is a REE-phosphate and is isostructural with zircon. It is EXTREMELY RARE from ANY of the 29 pegmatites or areas listed by MINDAT for Madagascar. This is a very sharp, pristine, tetragonal, low pyramidal floater compound crystal with luster and variable brown color from an unknown locale and is probably xenotime-(Y). RARE and superb doubly terminated material from the Jean Behier Collection, 1903-1965. He became a pegmatite specialist and helped to develop the mining industry in Madagascar, starting in 1953. He was the author of numerous mineralogy books and articles on Madagascar and was also a mineral dealer. Ex Eric Asselborn Collection. An outstanding and rare Madagascar xenotime. Valued at $1500.