ERYTHRITE. ...

Description

ERYTHRITE
Bou Azzer, Bou Azzer District, Tazenakht, Ouarzazate Province, Souss-Massa-Draâ Region, Morocco
Cobalt, the element chiefly responsible for the dark magenta tint seen in this specimen, has a long and checkered history associated with it. European miners ascribed supernatural properties to ores containing it, chiefly because they looked like Silver ore but didn't contain any: bad joke on the miners. This was seen as the work of capricious mine spirits called Kobolds, hence the name Cobalt. There are no evil spirits hanging around this beautiful example of crystallized Erythrite: the Arsenate of Cobalt. Crystals of any size of this mineral are rarely seen in Cobalt mines, which make the veritable forest of Erythrite covering the top surface of this Moroccan specimen very desirable. Crystals up to 1 inch in length explode from the limonitic matrix in random directions, displaying textbook sub-parallel form and glassy luster. Most Moroccan samples of this mineral are damaged by rough handling, but this remarkable specimen has been spared such abuse. Its condition is superbly well-preserved, this exceptional specimen measures 3 x 3 x 2 inches and has a custom labeled base.



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