large Fluorapophyllite-(K) with Stilbite (rare)

Item Description

Most people only think of India for fine large green fluorapophyllite but once upon a time, 50 years and more ago, they came from Brazil! This is a RARE, rich and impressive large old-time fluorapophyllite from a one-time early 1960s find in a railroad tunnel in the famous basalt deposits of Rio Grande do Sul. Pretty bi-colored mint-green, lustrous, translucent, tetragonal pseudo-cubic crystals are densely intergrown and cover the undulating, sculptural matrix. A few lustrous, tan, bladed stilbites are attractively scattered about and are a nice, typical accessory and complement. A bit of bruising on the narrow end is certainly a minimal detraction to this significant and important large fluorapophyllite from Brazil. Prior to the major finds in the Deccan Traps of India starting in the 1970s, this Brazilian find was among the world's best for Zeolite Group specimens. 2668 grams or 5.9 pounds mass. Ex Alvaro Lucio, from his longheld personal collection, a well-known Brazilian dealer and collector, from the old guard of dealers who helped build Brazil's reputation for mineral specimens. An outstanding and rare large old-time fluorapophyllite from the locale, of museum and display size. Impossible to value as we have no comparables for anything like this from Brazil.