Vesuvianite var: Cerian Vesuvianite with Perovskite and Andradite var: Melanite

Item Description

A cool association specimen from Perovskite Peak in San Benito County, California featuring thin prismatic crystals of Vesuvianite var: Cerian Vesuvianite measuring up to about 3 mm long which look black in reflected light, but with very strong backlighting, a deep red hue is visible. Associated pseudo-octahedral crystals of translucent orange-tan colored Perovskite measuring up to about 3 mm can be seen on the both sides of the specimens along with dozens of textbook dodecahedral crystals of jet-black Andradite var: Melanite, along with silvery-greenish foliated Clinochlore. The best is best seen under magnification, and we've done our best to illustrate the little crystals with a Canon MP-E 65 mm macro lens to better show their quality. Vesuvianite crystals are rare from this locality in my experience, and this is a great opportunity to pick up a piece with what are arguably the three best-known minerals from the locality all on one specimen.
The piece was pictured in Collector's Guide to the Vesuvianite Group as well as the Collector's Guide to Silicates: Orthosilicates (both written by Bob Lauf), but please note that neither copy of book is not included with this listing.
From the collection of longtime mineral collector Dr. Bob Lauf (Collection #3244), the author of the Mineral Collectors Guide books (Schiffer Publishing), widely seen at mineral shows and libraries. Robert Lauf grew up in Chicago and attended the University of Illinois, ultimately receiving a Ph.D. in Metallurgical Engineering. His scientific career included over twenty years at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where he conducted research on topics ranging from nuclear fuel, coal by-products, materials synthesis, microwave processing, sensors, optical materials, and biomineralization. He has been granted over forty U.S. Patents for his inventions, many of which have become successful industrial products. He is now a Registered Patent Agent and technology consultant.