Inesite

Item Description

Only a few, limited finds of these stunning, translucent to transparent, red Inesite crystals were found at the Wessels Mine in the 1980s and they are still considered by many to be the best of species. Only a few contenders from modern Chinese finds could somewhat compare, but they are of an entirely different form and not the intense red color. The Inesite crystals form rosettes of radial divergent, red bladed crystals to 1 cm across and they are perched on tiny (1 mm) crystals of transparent to translucent colorless to whitish Calcite crystals for perfect contrast. This colorful specimen displays well all around and the contrast between the red Inesite and white Calcite is excellent, and the piece sparkles in the lights of a showcase. This specimen has superb, sharp, lustrous quality to the crystals and is very rich. We have not seen any of these for general public sale in many years, since the dispersal only of other old collections (Barlow and Key had some, but that is 12 and 20 years ago now). Specimens like this have regularly commanded prices, when out at shows or online retail when they turn up at all, of $5000-6000.