RARE25-032
Hydroxylbastnäsite-(Ce) with Dolomite and Allanite-(Ce)
Trimouns Talc Mine, Luzenac, Ariège, Occitanie, France
Small Cabinet, 6.3 x 3.5 x 2.4 cm
$1,250.00 Payment Plan Available
Order Now
Specimens of Hydroxylbastnasite-(Ce) from Trimouns Talc Mine are getting more and more rare. Here we have several, colorful, platy crystal aggregates Hydroxylbastnasite-(Ce) that contrast well relative to the white Dolomite matrix. The hexagonal crystals are translucent to transparent with sharp edges and stand well-exposed with their edges standing straight up on the Dolomite crystals. Crystals are from 3 mm to 1.1 cm across and are well isolated. There are four lamellar groups of Hydroxylbastnasite-(Ce) crystals centered perfectly on the piece and close inspections reveals them to be composed of parallel aggregates of well formed, platy hexagonal crystals. Formerly classified as Bastnasite-(Ce), the samples from Trimouns have been determined to be Hydroxylbastnasite-(Ce). The color of these crystals in different lighting conditions is dramatic! Under LED and fluorescent lighting the color is a translucent yellow-green and in sunlight they are they are a salmon pink! This is a superb example with display quality crystals from one of the world's pre-eminent localities for such rare earth element species; and it came out long before the modern plentiful supply from Zagi Mountain in Pakistan (and, luckily, we see these are much more elegant and placed on a nice contrasting matrix!). A superb display quality specimen.