An excellent sizeable specimen of apple green olivine with andradite on ophiolite matrix, from an unusual Italian locality.

Large olivine crystals perched on the host rock, aggregated as lumps, displaying lustrous faces. Scattered across the entire specimen a dusting of myriads of sparkling andradite crystals, at times transparent. Noteworthy, olivine is often framed by andradite cubes, giving a great aesthetic value to the specimen. Additionally, a thin layer of flattened white asbestos increases the color contrast of the specimen. Finally, scattered throughout the drusy, a number of millimeter sized, jet black, very lustrous magnetite crystals. Back of the specimen was sawn for better display.

A noteworthy Alpine rarity from this area, now a national park.

Former collection Bernardoni (Italy), catalogue specimen n. 273

Note: based on recent conversation from Italian collectors, the olivine lumps are apple green andradite crystals instead. Specimens like this were being sold/traded as olivine with andradite back in the days. The collector specifically mentioned 'titanolivine' for the specimen. According to literature, there is no olivine in Rocciavrè. The specimen is sold as it came out from the Bernardoni collection (not analysed), therefore it is possible that these are two generations of andradite.