Ilmenite (fine crystal) on Nepheline (ex Kay Robertson Collection)

Item Description

A sharp, well-formed, lustrous, metallic, silvery-grey colored compressed trigonal crystal of Ilmenite measuring 1.6 cm is perched beautifull atop beige colored Nepheline matrix from the type locality for Ilmenite. I don't see any real damage to the Ilmenite, though it does have some negative growth areas where it gives the appearance of damage. I have not seen a more aesthetic display specimen of this material, and if you collect old Russian classics or minerals from the type locality, don't miss out on this fantastic display piece! Valued at $950. Ex Kay Robertson Collection. Kay is a prominent California collector, who specialized in European classics (see the article in the March-April, 2007 Mineralogical Record and the 50+ page article in the German Magazine "Mineralien Welt" November-December 2017).