Andradite var. Demantoid-Topazolite
stock #20.1-468
Val Malenco, Sondrio Province
Lombardy,
Italy
6.4 x 2.7 x 1.5 CM (cabinet)
price: $390
new year 2021
Classic Garnet specimen from the Malenco Valley of Italy collected in the late 1890's. There are some pale yellowish and darker green Andradite crystals on this matrix which has a tiny bit of adhering Asbestos. This is more Demantoid than Topaziolite despite the label that accompanies the specimen. The Garnets are translucent to slightly transparent, typically showing some rounded areas and what seems like face etching. These are well-exposed from the matrix and in good condition. Garnets from this very old mineralized zone have an immediately recognizable look unlike any others. A choice old European garnet.
A fine classic French specimen of gemmy Dauphine habit Quartz decorated with Siderites that are partly to fully pseudomorphed. The Siderites retain the flattened rhomb form perfectly and some are actually "skewered" on the slender Quartz. In excellent condition only one Quartz on the edge has any damage and that is not evident on display. Remarkable that this size and delicacy is intact. This was in the collection of William Hladysz for many years, he obtained this from Carter Rich. Carter's label gives some contradictory locality information, he lists La Mure, Bourg de Oisans and Vizille on the label, but these are really separate locales, all in Isere. This is clearly from Isere but almost certainly from Allevard. Siderite of this sort is not typical of Bourg de Oisans although the Quartz is. The Allevard locality in the same region is assured by our French colleagues as accurate, they know the zone well. Overall a very impressive display piece of classic Alpine minerals from this famed zone above Grenoble. Choice specimens like this are almost never seen for sale, especially in the USA.
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