Vauxite (finest color)

Siglo XX mine, Llallagua, Bustillo Province, Potosi Department, Bolivia (Type Locality)
Miniature, 4.7 x 2.0 x 1.0 cm
Start Time: 01/17/2019 6:45:00 pm (CST)
End Time: 01/24/2019 6:45:00 pm (CST)
Auction Closed

Item Description

When it comes to Vauxite, the finest specimens are found in Bolivia. This piece is from the great find of 1979 was brought into the United States by Richard A. Kosnar. This discovery produced the finest specimens of Vauxite known. Here we have a remarkable, incredibly well crystallized, TOP venetian blue color, ridiculously rare specimen consisting of radiating crystal aggregates of Vauxite free of matrix. We have photographed the crystals under a Canon MP-E 65 mm macro lens to show that they are truly terminated crystals and not just a blue mass. The piece is actually a thin shell of Vauxite which may have formed on top of some kind of clay (perhaps decomposed Allophane or Wavellite), which dissolved and left this "crust" of superb blue color Vauxite behind. It is very difficult to obtain any specimens of this incredibly beautiful phosphate, let alone a piece of the FINEST known color specimens ever found. This piece is from the type locality for this material which was discovered along the Contacto and San Jose veins in this mine and was first described by Sam Gordon and Mark Bandy. You will not find better color Vauxite anywhere ! Valued at $2,000 for the tremendous rarity, outstanding color and excellent form.

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