T archived mineral specimens

Tapiolite-(Fe)

#65669

Availability: Sold

Locality: Quixaba pegmatite, Frei Martinho, Paraiba, Brazil
Formula: Fe²⁺Ta₂O₆
Size: Miniature 3.5x2.5x3cm
Tagged: pegmatite mineral

This is an excellent crystal of Tapiolite-(Fe) from the stock of the late Luiz Menezes. There are several faces to the crystal, which is somewhat mal-formed probably due to restrictions of opposing crystallizing minerals. It measures 1cm. Tapiolite is a rare mineral and seldom seen at this large scale.

Tapiolite-(Fe) at Dakota Matrix Tapiolite-(Fe) at WebMineral Tapiolite-(Fe) at MinDat

Taramite

#BW58958

Availability: Sold

Locality: Itinga, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Formula: Na₂CaFe²⁺₃AlFe³⁺(Si₆Al₂)O₂₂(OH)₂
Size: SmCabinet 5.5x2.5x1.3cm

Taramite is a rare member of the amphibole group found at only a handful of localities. This specimen shows 1 to 3cm long green crystals in a nice divergent group.

Taramite at WebMineral Taramite at MinDat

Tarbuttite

#55410

Availability: Sold

Locality: Kabwe mine, Broken Hill, Kabwe dist., Central Province, Zambia
Formula: Zn₂(PO₄)(OH)
Size: Cabinet 9.5x4x4.5cm
Tagged: phosphate
Special Info: Type Locality

Excellent 1-2mm colorless crystals of Tarbuttite. Great specimen. Probably the best locality in the world for this species. The piece would rank right up there.

Tarbuttite at Dakota Matrix Tarbuttite at WebMineral Tarbuttite at MinDat

Tavorite

#40564

Availability: Sold

Locality: Tip Top mine, Custer Co., South Dakota, United States
Formula: LiFe³⁺PO₄(OH)
Size: SmCabinet 6.5x5.5x4cm
Tagged: phosphate

This is a nice cluster of light translucent green tabular Tavorite crystals. The cluster measures about 1mm but contains dozens of individual well-defined crystals. Typically Tavorite at the Tip Top is light green and granular looking with sugary habit. Tavorite crystals such as these are rare - from anywhere. It is a relatively rare lithium phosphate found exclusively in granitic pegmatites. The matrix of this specimen is mostly compact fibrous black Rockbridgeite.

Tavorite at Dakota Matrix Tavorite at WebMineral Tavorite at MinDat

Tavorite

#BN49295

Availability: Sold

Locality: Tip Top mine, Custer Co., South Dakota, United States
Formula: LiFe³⁺PO₄(OH)
Size: Cabinet 9.5x7.5x5.5cm
Tagged: phosphate , pegmatite mineral , lithium

Larger specimen of pinkish red Hureaulite in masses and crystals to 3mm with cavities filled with sugary lime green Tavorite and clusters of well-defined, excellent crystals in groups to 2mm. These are fabulous crystals of Tavorite, some of the best around. At the Tip Top mine, Tavorite is uncommon and crystals are very rare. I'm not sure if there is a better locality. Scattered around the cavaties to a lessor degree are tiny less than 1mm opaque yellow-orange Ushkovite crystals, deep red Bermanite and purple Leucophosphate crystals.

Tavorite at Dakota Matrix Tavorite at WebMineral Tavorite at MinDat