Staurolite (twin) (rare locality)

Item Description

This is a textbook "cross" twin of Staurolite, a common twining habit for the species, but this particular specimen is from a rare French locality. It's the first example we've had to offer from this locality, and even a google search produces very little results in the way of Staurolite twins from Baud. This piece shows excellent twinning with two interpenetrant crystals at 90 degrees, and even a third accessory crystal on the back. The piece is largely crystallized all the way around, but it's not a complete "floater", as there is a point of contact on the back. If you collect twinned crystals or minerals from France/Europe, this is a very worthwhile piece to pick up for your collection. From the worldwide mineral collection of Albert Lewis Kidwell (January 1, 1919 - August 16, 2008). Al was a well-known mineral collector and research geologist with Carter Oil Company and later Exxon Oil Company in Houston, Texas. The phosphate species Kidwellite was named in his honor in 1974.