Description
These ilvaite crystals are from the Huanggang Fe-Sn deposit in the Hexigten Banner, Ulanhad league, Inner Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, China. This is is large deposit containing at least seven mines that produce 60 different minerals including ilvaite. It is a silicate and it contains the elements Ca, Fe, Si, O and H. Several years ago these ilvaite crystals were found at the mine and they became a big sensation. They are extremely large for the species and they are possibly the largest that will ever be found. This piece consists of a vee-shaped formation of multi-twinned crystals that have complex terminations. Their prism faces are striated and they host varying degrees of etched druse quartz crystals as shown in photo 7.They have a chatoyant matte to vitreous luster depending on orientation to the light source. This piece measures 3 1/16 x 2 5/8 x 1 5/8 inches or 96 x 67 x 41 mm.
