Rare Brazilian Hydroxylherderite - Minas Gerais

This is a hydroxylherderite from the granitic pegmatites of Minas Gerais in Brazil, a phosphate mineral that turns up so rarely in good crystal that the nice ones go straight into collections and stay there. The crystals run transparent to translucent with a vitreous, almost resinous shine, and they show the fishtail contact twinning the species is known for, which is the detail a mineral person will spot from clear across the table. It is described as coming from the Xanda and Golconda mine localities. If you collect rare phosphates you already know how seldom this one comes up for sale. Add it to your collection today!