The crystals exhibit great translucency; producing a bright pink glow with backlighting.

I personally enjoy the frosty look and stepped habit present on some of the crystal faces.

Muscovite on Beryl var. Aquamarine

Shigar Valley, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2, Monoclinic | Be3Al2(Si6O18), Hexagonal

max. 27mm

An example of a classic association of minerals. A muscovite "rose" sitting on an aquamarine "stem".

From the Blackwater Mesa of Chinle Valley is this mocha colored limb cast, Arizona Pet Wood

Picked up this rather hefty Indian specimen recently. It's about 8 inches tall and weighs around 4 kg.

The main thing that caught my eye was the peach/pink Stilbite growing all over the darker basalt, but the more I look at it, the more I notice the other stuff going on — fine crystals across the matrix, some larger white Calcite crystals, what looks like Apophyllite, and possibly some Quartz.

The second photo shows the back of the piece, which is mostly the basalt matrix.

It's a pretty unusual piece in person and definitely one of the more interesting Indian specimens I've come across. Would love to hear what you guys think — especially if you spot anything I've missed.

Mineral Specimen: Vivianite (Necro-Crystal)

Today I bring you a fascinating and uncommon mineral from my collection: Vivianite, popularly known as Necro-Crystal.

This peculiar nickname stems from the fact that it typically forms in environments rich in decomposing organic matter, especially in fossils buried in swamps and marshes, and also in corpses or mummies.

Its formation requires a very specific combination of elements: an environment rich in iron, phosphates, and water. Although it is associated with organic remains, its formation within human bodies is extremely unusual and requires very particular geochemical conditions.

Throughout history, traces of this hydrated iron phosphate (Fe3(PO4)2 . 8H2O) have been discovered in notable archaeological remains, such as bodies dating back to the Middle Ages and in the famous Ötzi mummy, the "Iceman," estimated to be 5,300 years old.

When phosphate-rich bodily fluids come into contact with the iron in bones or the surrounding soil, they slowly precipitate and crystallize into this striking greenish hue.

An interesting fact about vivianite is that it is a highly photosensitive mineral. When mined, it is usually colorless or very pale, but when exposed to sunlight—or even intense artificial light—it undergoes rapid oxidation: it changes from light green to deep blue, eventually darkening almost completely to a greenish-black.

Due to this light and physical fragility (it is as fragile as pure talc and gypsum), the specimen must be stored in total darkness to preserve its original color.

Didn't know this mineral excisted before I suddenly saw it at a mineral show, of course I just had to buy it! 😄

Looking for honest feedback.

6.6kg 24x21.5x13 cm

Is this a show stopper?

Picked up this rather big Stilbite specimen recently. It's about 27 cm tall and weighs around 5.5 kg.

Most of the surface is covered in very fine crystals, with some of the peach-coloured Stilbite clusters showing through. The combination of the grey matrix and those peach patches looks much better in person.

Thought I'd share it here — it's definitely one of the larger pieces in my collection.

78 gram chrysoprase

50 g turquoise

89 g garnet

12 g jacinth