Kinoite (rare)

Item Description

A beautiful example of the rare hydrated calcium copper silicate, Kinoite from the famous Christmas Mine in Arizona. Although the best known examples of Kinoite come from the Christmas Mine, most people don't realize that the type locality is actually further south in Pima County. This is a great display specimen of this rare species featuring hundreds of micro crystals which are associated with colorless Hydroxyapophyllite-(K) or possibly Fluorapophyllite-(K). The species gets its name from the Italian Jesuit missionary Eusebio Francisco Kino (1645-1711). You can actually see a statue of him along the Kino Parkway in Tucson. A must have specimen for any fan of rarities, this is some of the most recognizable material from any mine in Arizona.