Variscite with Crandallite, Wardite (larger)

Item Description

This item is part of a special benefit auction for the Rice Museum of Rocks & Minerals (ricenorthwestmuseum.org). Items are either deaccessions from the museum's collection or were donated by generous supporters listed below.

Auction open April 1, 2021 through April 17, 2021.

Billing for this auction will occur on Monday, April 19, for payment using PayPal or credit card. Shipping will be billed at cost, or please contact brandy@mineralauctions.com if you'd like to plan on picking up items at future shows or during a stop through Dallas.

This is another uniquely patterned end-cut from a Variscite nodule originating from the famous and historic phosphate deposits at the Little Green monster mine in Utah. This gorgeous, end cut displays mesmerizing patterns of bright sea green, pale olive green with local gray tones for variety. The bright green Variscite cores are surrounded by thin banded zones consisting of varying tones of yellow-green to green-yellow that pinch and swell around the Variscite as if it were organic. These green-yellow areas are a combination of both Crandallite and Wardite. Some of these Variscite rich orbs are transected by these same green-yellow Crandallite-Wardite-rich material. There are also rounded areas consisting of two-toned gray that have an interesting texture. This is a beautiful piece with great artistic appeal and wonderful composition with the variety of color and hues. This piece has an exceptional polish. The Little Green Monster Mine is famous for its gorgeous nodules of green Variscite, the beauty of which hardly needs description. Old-time (early 1900's, with one well-known collecting spree by Ed Over in 1937), rare, and colorful, these intricate combinations are still desirable and sought-after, a century later. 775 grams (approx 2 pounds weight!). As a final note, this is a desirable end cap for a nodule and not just a slice.