Hubnerite on Quartz
stock #8.1-282
Pasto Bueno District, Pallasca Province
Ancash Department,
Peru
9.9 x 7.3 x 3.9 CM (cabinet)
price: $560
New Year 22
A fine modern classic example from the finds over 20 years ago at Pasto Bueno. The Hubnerite crystal is composed of several parallel position crystals that are complete and terminated. This standing cluster is a full 7.5 CM tall. The Hubnerite shows flashes of red under good lighting as is typical of the specie. Perched aesthetically on a spray of Quartz crystals that are also in excellent condition. We need to note there is a small repair on this piece, well-done, and not visible to the naked eye. This keeps the price a good deal lower but has no visible impact on the piece. Looks fine from all sides, an excellent example of the specie.
An important Chinese specimen and a rarity, this Hubnerite is from the one time small find at Yaogangxian in 1998. It seems these are also the largest Hubnerite crystals known from China, at 9.4 CM! Ferberite (the analog) is famous from Yaogangxian, it has produced some of the worlds best. However, verified Hubnerite is only known in a few specimens. The crystals here are attractively perched on a long Quartz prism and this displays well from either side. The color is a lustrous black to a deep brownish-red. Strong lighting shows red translucence on thin edges of the crystals as is typical for Hubnerite. The crystals are complete, somewhat jagged showing parallel growth with full terminations. A dusting of micro Helvites (not confirmed) add a color contrast. Remarkably this specimen has no noticeable damage on the delicate Hubnerite crystals. For any comprehensive Chinese collection or a Yaogangxian suite, this is something really special!
