Hydroxylherderite (unusual color) (ex Franceso Bedogne Collection)

Item Description

A really attractive and unusual Hydroxylherderite specimen from Corrego Frio featuring a handful of sharp and well-formed crystals with an interesting caramel-golden color. The crystals give the indication of twinning, but perhaps it's just an unusual growth. The main crystal is actually doubly-terminated, and when backlit, it glows with a color that is quite rare for the species. Additionally some small hexagonal blades of silvery Muscovite and white Albite can be seen on the piece. Great condition all around and just plain strange compared to Herderites I've seen from Brazil and various world localities. If you collect phosphates or minerals of Brazil, pick this piece up. It's a cool oddball specimen to add to your collection, and is good quality to boot. Valued at $850. From the worldwide collection of famed Italian mineral collector, field collector and author, Francesco Bedogne of Sondrio, Italy (Collection #2499). Bedogne wrote dozens of articles and several books about the mineralogy of Italian Alpine localities such as Val Bregaglia, Val Masino, Val Codera, Val Spluga, Valtellina and the famous Val Malenco. He was also the founder of the Valtellinese Mineralogical Institute.