Nováčekite (fine rare classic thumbnail)

Item Description

The various Magnesite localities in Brumado are the source of some excellent crystallized mineral specimens. One of the most highly sought after species from this area is Nováčekite, an incredibly rare magnesium uranium arsenate species. In fact, the finest specimen of Nováčekite came from this area ( https://www.mindat.org/photo-304253.html ). These pieces were found many years ago, and virtually nothing has been found from anywhere in Brumado in a while. This piece is a wonderful thumbnail sized example of this highly sought after, rare and beautiful material featuring a handful of excellent, sharp, well-formed, soft-yellow colored, bladed crystals of Nováčekite measuring up to 9 mm, beautifully sitting atop a small amount of almost smoky colored Magnesite matrix. Keep in mind that most Nováčekite crystal from other world localities are often quite tiny (sometimes microscopic), so to have relatively large, distinct, euhedral crystals aesthetically sitting on matrix like this is a big deal for the species. If you collect thumbnails, rarities or you've just always wanted to get your hands on one of these desirable Nováčekite specimens, don't pass this one up. I value this one around $3,000-$3,500 for the quality and notable absence on the market today. From the collection of William ("Bill") (1927-2006) and Anne (1928-2021) Cook of Cleveland, Ohio (#8071). This husband and wife duo were actively involved in the mineral world for many decades. Bill was a PhD geologist, and Anne was a mathematician, and they both were very serious mineral collectors. Bill served for many years as adjunct curator of mineralogy at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, and Anne was inducted into the Micromounters' Hall of Fame on October 12, 2019. Both Bill and Anne, at various times, served as president both of the Mineralogical Society of Cleveland and of the Micromineral Society of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, and Anne was inducted into the mi The rare barium lithium beryllium phosphate Wilancookite was named in their honor in 2015.