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Vivianite

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MGR975824

Vivianite

Classic Locality

Description Tabs

Description
Locality: 
Huanuni Mine, Huanuni, Dalence Province, Oruro Department, Bolivia
Class: 
Crystals on Matrix
Size Range: 
Small cabinet (7-10 cm)
Size: 
9.3 × 7.7 × 6.5 cm
Description

Next to the spectacular new discoveries from Romania Huanuni mine produced the finest Vivianites worl-wide. The best pieces came in the 80ties, but then the Bolivian government takes all rights for the mining work there and prohibited all specimen mining. The lower levels even get flooded to keep field-collectors away. So during the next decades only very low quantity of good pieces came to the market, and they all get absorbed from collectors.  The particular specimen is among the top-level - concerning all important indiactors like color, luster and aesthetics. The main crystal is 58mm tall, 43mm wide and 11mm thick. It is absolutely perfect, there are not even minor chips - remarkable for a mineral with a hardness of 1,5 to 2 (Mohs). All faces including end-points and reverse are on highest possible luster - like mirror-finished. There are so many amazing details, tiny steps, additional small faces, nearly impossible to show them with a photo. The quality and transparency of the crystal is superb, too - like cut glass and depending on angle you look at it or the light goes through the crystal you will see shimmering tones of intense green to blue-green. The crystal is free-standing - set on the lower bottom of matrix and growing a little bit diagonal from back to front-side (about 10°). The matrix consists of pyrite and is completely covered with well shaped tiny Siderite crystals in light brownish color. Contrast is also wonderful and the assemble couldn´t be more aesthetic. That´s pure perfection for all standards.

Mineral Data
What's on the rock

Vivianite

Formula: 
Fe2+3(PO4)2·8H2O
Strunz: 
8.CE.40
Crystal System: 
Monoclinic
Hardness: 
1.5 - 2.0
Type Locality: 
Wheal Kind (Wheal Kine), West Wheal Kitty group, St Agnes, St Agnes District, Cornwall, England, UK