Danburite (rare blue color)

Alto Chapare, Chapare Province, Cochabamba Department, Bolivia
Thumbnail, 1.7 x 1.1 x 0.7 cm
Start Time: 07/27/2017 6:45:00 pm (CDT)
End Time: 08/03/2017 6:45:00 pm (CDT)
Auction Closed

Item Description

Here we have of the distinctive minerals from Bolivia. While these specimens are not a new find per se, they are new specimens from a well known locality. These are the only BLUE Danburite crystals that I have ever seen from any locality. Truly the crystals themselves are colorless, but are included by a rare Amphibole called Magnesioriebeckite, for which Alto Chapare is the type locality. This specimen is a very good quality thumbnail. It is a decent sized (for the locality) sharp, doubly-terminated, highly lustrous, well formed, prismatic, gray-blue color "floater" crystal with the classic and rarely seen blue hue. An interesting historical note about this locality: Supposedly the mineral was first discovered in the tomb of a "cacique" (a native Indian chief) where they had been placed jewels to signify that he was rich. The find of these crystals was made near there.

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