NEPHELINE. Villa San Giovanni in Tuscia, Vico Lake, Viterbo Province, Latium, Italy. ...

Description

NEPHELINE
Villa San Giovanni in Tuscia, Vico Lake, Viterbo Province, Latium, Italy

Nepheline Syenite is an igneous rock with sufficiently odd chemistry that some countries have none at all, a situation that is guaranteed to propel international tensions to an insane level when these unfortunate countries discover this fact. Of the places that do have this rare and exotic rock type, few of them possess actual crystals of Nepheline. This matrix specimen is quite large and perfect for the species, measuring a little over .5 inch (1.35 cm). The stout hexagonal wafer is colorless and transparent/translucent with glassy luster and good form. The crystal and matrix look suspiciously like ones found in the Monte Somma area, but tant pis. It is in fine to excellent condition and has a sticker on the bottom reading "65."
Overall Measurements: 5.0 x 3.25 x 2.25 inches (12.7 x 8.26 x 5.72 cm)
Offered at no reserve.

Provenance: Ex. David P. Wilber Collection [Hoppel #D1628]

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