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Stilbite, Epidote
Posted by: macadmin on 04.23.2020 | Filed under:

Stilbite, Epidote

Specimen # 100894
Mineral: Stilbite, Epidote
Location: Diamonkara, Bendougou, Kayes Region, Mali
Size: 4.0 x 3.3 x 3.0 cm
Specimen # 100894
Mineral: Stilbite, Epidote
Location: Diamonkara, Bendougou, Kayes Region, Mali
Size: 4.0 x 3.3 x 3.0 cm

Description

Detailed Description

These two complete dark yellow stilbite balls are perched upon a cluster of sparkling dark green epidote crystals. The stilbite crystals are darker than most from this find, and are colour zoned, with a thin transparent zone at their terminations. Good lustre and translucence. In excellent condition – no damage, minor rubs can be found with magnification, and some epidotes around the back have contacts. Stands perfectly for display, this is a top quality specimen. Beautiful!


About These Stilbites

These beautiful yellow stilbite balls from Mali made their debut at Ste. Marie 2014. Although there has only been a small trickle of fine specimens since then, the deposit at Diamonkara has once again produced a number of very fine pieces. As in 2014, moderate-to-significant damage was almost ubiquitous, and high-quality specimens like the ones in this lot are very uncommon. As a side note, although there has been a push to sell these as specimens of stellerite, none of the analytical work done to date has confirmed any stellerite identification, to my knowledge (and I am aware some analytical work has been done).

As for the specimens themselves, the good Diamonkara pieces are absolutely some of the nicest and most distinctive stilbites I’ve ever seen from anywhere, with beautiful colour and form. They are perhaps not appreciated for what they are – these are striking, colourful display specimens of a mineral that is often pale and drab.