Microcline (var: Hyalophane)

Item Description

The finest crystals of Hyalophane ever found have come from the famous Zagradski Potok Mine in Bosnia & Herzegovina. These are some of the most impressive example of crystallized Feldspar ever found due to their impressive gemminess and size along with the fine sharpness and luster of the crystals. It should be noted that Hyalophane for many years was considered a valid species, but it is now defined as a barium-bearing variety of Microcline (though I did see one note on mindat that said Hyalophane can apply to either Orthoclase or Microcline). With that said, it does not take away from the undeniable quality of this material. It's important to note that the vast majority of the Feldspar in the world is opaque and often doesn't have good luster. The specimens from the Zagradski Potok Mine are brilliantly reflective and often rather gemmy. Additionally, the incredible sharpness of the crystals is really what sets them apart, as the majority of gem/gemmy Feldspars you'll see are often rather rounded and dull. This small cabinet is a fantastic example of this classic material featuring several razor-sharp, highly lustrous, gemmy/translucent crystals measuring up to 6.6 cm across intergrown to create a very three-dimensional display specimen free of matrix. The color ranges from transparent-colorless to a misty soft sandy hue. The piece is complete on all sides, it's actually fully crystallized on the back and it's nearly a complete "floater"! The left front corner of the main crystal might look contacted at first glance, but it's re-crystallized ("re-healed"), and I can see tiny reflective faces there when I look at it with a loupe. These specimens are seldom seen on the market today, and this piece is not only a showy and highly aesthetic display piece, but it's very fine quality to boot. A must have for any fan of worldwide Feldspars, but it goes beyond that categorization as it's simply a good overall mineral specimen. Priced in the inventory at $4,000.