Quartz, Siderite, Dolomite, Fluorapatite, Albite, Pyrrhotite and Cubanite

Item Description

This is a Brazilian classic during the peak of gold mining and specimen production at the Morro Velho Mine in the 1950s-1960s. Brazilian and worldwide collectors alike treasured specimens from the Morro Velho Mine for its interesting mineralogy and aesthetic combinations, more than any few gold specimens it produced. This amazing combination piece has outstanding Quartz crystals, dark amber Siderite discs and off-white Dolomite discs that comprise most of the foundation that is host to several, small, but stunning, gemmy, pink Fluorapatite crystals, some white Albite and then sprinkled locally with Pyrrhotite and Cubanite crystals. There are at least half a dozen glassy to slightly coated, mostly transparent Quartz crystals from 1.5 to 6 cm in length in the middle of the piece with one 3.5 cm, doubly terminated crystal laying nearly horizontal on the right side of the piece. Exceptional rich amber Siderite discs measuring 0.7 to 3.5 cm are embedded between some of the Quartz crystals and scattered among some of the Albite crystals, and they are all well-exposed with the discs having sharp, thin edges. The Dolomite crystals have similar habit, however, they are off-white in color and there are only three or four of them, but enough to provide good contrast for the other species! Numerous, glistening, 1 to 3 cm, colorless to whitish, sharp Albite crystals decorate much of the front edge and serve as a frontispiece for the fabulous, transparent pink Fluorapatite crystals that vary in size from 1 to 1.5 cm across and stand out against the the Albite, Siderite, Dolomite and Quartz! Slightly oxidized, pseudohexagonal, 2 to 6 mm Pyrrhotite crystals are sprinkled around the back half of the piece as are tiny, 1 to 2 mm, metallic bronze Cubanite crystals. We only see these great Morro Velho combination pieces turn up in old collections like this one from Alvaro Lucio's collection.