Detailed information
Species
Cronstedtite, Siderite
Dimensions
45 x 65 x 25
mm
Weight
94 g
Locality
Herja Mine Chiuzbaia, Baia Mare Maramureș, Romania
Condition
No recorded repairs
Cronstedtite is an extremely rare iron silicate species known in excellent crystals from just a small number of places. The most famous of those is Herja mine in Romania but very few larger display specimens survive the ravages of time, as most were collected over a century ago. This remarkable small cabinet specimen displays an absolutely magnificent dome-like aggregate of immaculate glossy black Cronstedtite crystals sat upon a crystallized Siderite matrix. A multitude of sparkling terminated crystal faces make up the 2.5 cm wide 'island' of Cronstedtite. The Siderite crystals are lenticular in form with a dark orange-brown external colour, but fudge coloured internally. There is no doubting that this is a world-class Cronstedtite worthy of the finest museum or private collection.