Description
Detailed Description
This specimen is striking and different. The goethite crystals are a bit more 3-D than most in this lot, and the colour is quite golden in tone, with satin lustre. In the centres of the radial sprays there are remnants of fluorite (note: these are cleavage faces only). The specimen is in excellent condition – peripheral rubbing is very minor on this one. Aesthetic!
About These Goethites
Although goethite is a common mineral, it is uncommon to find collection-worthy specimens of crystallized goethite.
These goethite specimens were recently found in one of the huge chamber pegmatites at Volodarsk (which have long been famous for fantastic beryls and huge topaz crystals, to go along with monster quartz crystals). Currently work at Volodarsk has been largely curtailed and it is not clear whether any significant further work will be economically feasible. Prior to discontinuing most operations, the mining workings intersected a pocket which contained these radial sprays of goethite. I acquired them from the person who mined them out before the water table was allowed to submerge the pocket.
The detailed locality information for these (included on the label accompanying each specimen) is Pegmatite No. 597, Mine No. 3.
