Eosphorite (unusual crystals - rare locality)

Item Description

A unique and rarely seen specimen of Eosphorite labeled as only coming from the state of Rio Grande do Norte (likely from either Alto Redondo, the Boqueirão pegmatite, or the Capoeira 1 pegmatite (Boqueirãozinho pegmatite). The style/habit of the crystals is notably different than most you'll see from Minas Gerais, which are often elongated "sword"-shaped prisms, but these crystals much more robust and blocky. The quality is quite good for the species as the crystals are sharp, well-formed and lustrous, which is not commonly seen in Brazilian Eosphorites. The color is a gentle peach-orange hue when backlit, and they moderate internal translucency. The largest crystal measures 1.3 cm at its widest dimension. A bit of Albite matrix can be seen under the Eosphorites. An unusual and certainly different kind of Eosphorite for any fan of worldwide phosphates or minerals of Brazil. Valued $600.
From the collection of William ("Bill") (1927-2006) and Anne (1928-2021) Cook of Cleveland, Ohio (#5111). This husband and wife duo were actively involved in the mineral world for many decades. Bill was a PhD geologist, and Anne was a mathematician, and they both were very serious mineral collectors. Bill served for many years as adjunct curator of mineralogy at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, and Anne was inducted into the Micromounters' Hall of Fame on October 12, 2019. Both Bill and Anne, at various times, served as president both of the Mineralogical Society of Cleveland and of the Micromineral Society of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. The rare barium lithium beryllium phosphate Wilancookite was named in their honor in 2015.