Here's a nice looking "
whopper of a Manganite group."
With an estimated value between $150,000 and $175,000, it has an
opening bid of $75,000. It's one of over 300 gems and minerals being
auctioned by Heritage.
Ilfeld, Nordhausen, Harz, Thuringia, Germany
If it wasn't for the Ilfeld Manganese mines, Manganite would be
relegated to back row status in the Pantheon of Fine Minerals.
Fortunately, Manganite was rescued from obscurity by the brilliant,
midnight-black crystal groups found in this part of the Harz Mountains.
Of the various Manganite groups known, the one seen here is arguably in
the top 5. Single crystals run riot over the upper surface of a massive
Manganite/Pyrolusite matrix, with thin layers of the original wall rock
visible on the absolute bottom of the specimen. Many of the crystals are
over one inch, and some are much larger: up to 1.88 inches (4.74 cm).
At better than 6.5 inches (16.5 cm) in length, this is not a small
example of this mineral; it is a whopper of a Manganite group. The
condition of this 'black beauty' is absolutely pristine with no visible
damage. As befits a world-class specimen of Ilfeld Manganite, it comes
with a custom acrylic base.
Overall Measurements: 6.49 x 3.34 x 2.65 inches (16.5 x 8.5 x 6.74 cm)
I've got my eye on this hunk of
heulandite on chalcedony, which "looks like Godzilla as a hockey goalie," and has a current high bid of $1.
No comments:
Post a Comment