Moving mountains for you
Switch currency

Current Live Auctions

Current Live Fixed Price Sales

Vesuvianite With Hessonite

Views:
Watches:
QRI832960

Vesuvianite With Hessonite

Classic Locality

Description Tabs

Description
Locality: 
Bellecombe, Châtillon, Aosta Valley, Italy
Class: 
Crystal Group/Cluster
Size Range: 
Miniature (4.5-7 cm)
Size: 
4.9 × 4.2 × 1.9 cm
Largest Crystal: 
0.70cm
Weight: 
35.00gr
Description

A perfectly balanced miniature consisting of a carpet of slighly elongated blood red grossular crystals topped by a crest of prismatic vesuvianite crystals. Both species are well-developed and mostly gemmy, with great lustre. Hessonite crystals are quite elongated, and I suspect to the point of being hydrogrossular. Some vesuvianite crystals are not terminated, although this is noticeable only upon close inspection with the lens.
The subject is highly photogenic and aesthetic.

Very rare and sought-after material in this quality. The current specimen, which I acquired last summer from an experienced collector, is an oldtimer (easily 30+ years old find).
The locality of Bellecombe is off-limits to collectors.

Mineral Data
What's on the rock

Vesuvianite

Formula: 
(Ca,Na,☐)19(Al,Mg,Fe3+)13(☐,B,Al,Fe3+)5(Si2O7)4(SiO4)10(OH,F,O)10
Strunz: 
9.BG.35
Hardness: 
6.5
Streak: 
White
Type Locality: 
Monte Somma, Somma-Vesuvius Complex, Naples Province, Campania, Italy

Hessonite

Variety Of: 

Grossular

Formula: 
Ca3Al2(SiO4)3
Strunz: 
9.AD.25
Hardness: 
6.5 - 7.0
Hardness: 
0.0

Seller Information

Payment options: offline, paypal_wpp, paypal_wps

Seller's terms and conditions

Shipping within 15 days after payment received, unless specified/agreed otherwise.

Combined shipping is possible, please inquire for details.