Detailed information
Dimensions
39 x 57 x 42
mm
Weight
34 g
Locality
Virgem da Lapa Jequitinhonha valley Minas Gerais, Brazil
Condition
No recorded repairs
In the world of brightly coloured gem minerals the associated pegmatite species tend to get overlooked as 'rock-forming' minerals, but sometimes these species are worthy of attention too. This large miniature Muscovite mica specimen is a classic example, forming a beautiful rosette-like clustered aggregate of gently overlapping hexagonal platy crystals which are totally 3-dimensional, although it presents best from one direction looking into the centre of the rosette. Bronzy and with the false metallic lustre for which Muscovite often dupes inexperienced collectors, this piece also has a hint of pinkish-cerise flashes, possibly due to elevated levels of lithium. At 5 cm across, this 'flower' presents beautifully and is from Virgem da Lapa, one of the famous gem pegmatite areas in the Jequitinhonha valley, Minas Gerais state, Brazil.
