Spinel - large crystals on Diopside
stock #9.1-075
Near McDonald Island
Northwest Territories,
Canada
11.1 x 8.3 x 7.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $590
Spring 23
A large cabinet sized specimen with several sizable dark blue Spinel crystals prominently sitting on the matrix. A very fine example from this remote and little known area. This specimen was collected by Brad Wilson (a very well-known prolific field collector) and was later in the collection of, (and sold by), the late Ernie Schlichter, another well-respected field collector and mineral dealer. The Spinel crystals reach 3.6 CM in size and are nestled in a crystallized matrix of Diopside crystals. A very impressive specimen from a find many years ago, Mindat notes this Diopside skarn stating "The actual locality is a small unnamed island near MacDonald Island on the south coast of Baffin Island approximately 200 km northwest of Lake Harbour". This specimen has the largest crystals I have seen (although we have not seen more than a few, these are not common). No longer available except when collections are liquidated. The display side is in excellent condition, the back of the largest crystal is contacted though not visible from the front. A choice Skarn specimen unlike Spinels from most any other localities.
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