Pyrochlore (rare and fine quality)

Item Description

It should be noted that the name Pyrochlore is no longer valid. As of 2010, it has been used as the name for a group of species niobium dominant members of the Pyrochlore Supergroup. Typically, most "Pyrochlore" crystals are somewhat dull with dark black an brown color and no often very lustrous. In the mid 1980s there was a discovery of fine quality crystals with a rich reddish color, along with excellent sharp lustrous faces. This piece is from that find and features many fine quality crystals measuring up to 8 mm on Calcite matrix. It's very difficult to find crystals of this size with such excellent luster, sharp faces and even a bit of gemminess when backlit! I think the crystals from the Vishnevye Mountains are arguably the best "Pyrochlore" crystals out there. It should be noted that there is an unidentified pale yellow color hexgonal prismatic crystal on the piece (possibly just Calcite or something much rarer?). Valued at $900 in the inventory.