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This is the first and so far the only pyromorphite
piece that I have in my collection. I bought it during the 1998 Tucson show from the primary
dealer of Kellogg, Idaho pyromorphite, and picked it out basically because of its bright
orange-to-golden color, its lightly pebbled surfaces and nearly adamantine luster, and its low
price. Thus, it is thumbnail-sized, not exceeding 0.9" in length. Several heavily intergrown
crystals comprise it, and all are in excellent condition.
I bought this piece along with the brookite/quartz
piece from Page 3 and a single Colorado rhodochrosite crystal for no
more than $75. I have been told that the crystal itself is worth at least that much, so I think
that I did well. This piece consists of two intergrown Peruvian rhodochrosite stalactites that
are partly coated on one side with a dusting of microscopic pyrites. There is some breakage at
the top (or bottom) of one of the stalactites, but they are still in good condition and have
excellent pale-pink coloration and stalactitic form.
I have only seen about 5 or 6 senarmontite crystals
in the dozens of mineral shows that I have attended, and this is easily the largest. It measures
about 0.4" (1 cm) along an edge and at least 0.5" (1.3 cm) from point to opposing point. There
is almost no detectable damage to it, and though it shows a growth irregularity on one corner,
its octahedral form is still very good.
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