Detailed Description

Very striking crystal group, anchored by the main large star (3.7 cm across).  Sharp smaller crystals in association – the star at the right hand side is gorgeous. There is are minor rubs and the flat-lying crystal at lower left is missing a tip, but you can see in the photo it’s peripheral.  This specimen jumps out on the display shelf thanks to the outline and sharpness of the large star and the small one on the right.

About these Muscovites

Like most good mineral collectors, I have – once in a while – cursed micas. But in fact I feel that the mica group minerals are under-appreciated. The famous “star micas" from the Jenipapo Mine are an excellent reason to look more closely – that is just awesome crystal morphology, period.

Although the specimens from this mine are well known and have at times been produced in significant numbers I have looked at hundreds), there are usually two major issues with the star micas: (1) usually they are damaged beyond any point of acceptability and (2) many have been soaked in oil to deepen the yellow colour, leaving them pretty sad looking.  There’s little worse in Mineral World than a damaged, oiled mica.

Anyway. I went through a large excellent lot and picked the very best – these are rare, top quality “star muscovites".