Pentagonite (rare)

Wagholi, Poona, India
Cabinet, 10.5 x 8.0 x 7.8 cm
Start Time: 01/27/2022 9:00:00 pm (CST)
End Time: 02/03/2022 6:45:00 pm (CST)
Auction Closed
Winning Bid: $1,549

Item Description

There are a few minerals that are directly tied to a single world locality. Pentagonite (and Cavansite) are known worldwide thanks to the fantastic specimens from Wagholi. If it were not for the pieces from this locality, I don't think many people would know about Pentagonite. Not only are the finest examples found at this locality, but they are also incredibly beautiful and highly displayable. The magnificent intense electric blue color is what draws the eye, but the superb crystallization makes them all the more enticing. When it comes to rarities, most of the time, crystals are small and nondescript. In the case of a species like Pentagonite, the crystals are large, beautiful and the only specimens of note come from one place in the world. The species chemically is identical to Cavansite, but it is dimorphous in the fact that the habit of the crystals is different. Pentagonite gets its name due to the fact that the crystals form in unusual five-fold "pentagonal star" cyclic twins consisting of 5 individual crystals that loop creating a minor distortion of the crystal lattice. These 5-sided or 5-pointed crystals are incredibly rare in nature. For reference, here is a link to a photo of a close-up of a textbook twin of the material ( https://i.pinimg.com/236x/07/ed/60/07ed60470bade3918ceff313f2d8a9d4--image-search-amber.jpg ). This wonderful cabinet specimen features a pair of good quality, beautiful, sharp, neon blue aggregate of Pentagonite sitting on a thin layer of white Mordenite atop basalt matrix. The main group nestled deep within the central portion of the specimen is an eye-catching "spray" filled with superb crystals flaring out in every direction. The second group is actually the largest of the two, measuring 2.8 cm, but it's contacted on the edge where it was removed from the pocket wall. A very showy and good quality specimen of this rare material. I feel these Pentagonites are not appreciated enough due to the fact they are still available on the market, but like many minerals from India, they are the finest representation of their respective species ever found. Keep in mind that minerals like Adamite from the Ojuela Mine or Fluorites from Southern Illinois, were undervalued back in the day due to their abundance, but have increased dramatically in value now that no more are being found. Priced in our inventory at $3,500.

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Bidding History

Bid Amount Bid Time
$1,549 02/03/2022 6:39:33 pm (CST)
$1,499 02/03/2022 6:39:33 pm (CST)
$1,363 02/03/2022 6:39:19 pm (CST)
$1,313 02/03/2022 6:39:18 pm (CST)
$1,024 01/30/2022 1:28:58 pm (CST)
$999 01/28/2022 6:51:25 am (CST)