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I\'m pleased to offer this excellent specimen of Szaibelyite with Ludwigite, Magnetite, and possible serpentine. The specimen measures 3.06 x 3.02 x 2.32 inches or 7.77 x 7.67 x 5.90cm.
This is from the Erich Laskowski (1949-2020) collection of Tucson, Arizona. Erich worked as a geologist in Colorado, California, and Arizona (chronologically) and collected extensively wherever he lived. He collected a suite of specimens from this locality when he worked in California at the Hayden Hill (gold) mine. I was very fortunate to obtain the bulk of his personally collected specimens in April, 2021 and I\'m still going through the collection and unwrapping specimens. In fact, this is the first Blind Mountain specimen that I\'ve ever offered anywhere.
I sold a virtually identical piece about a month ago (at same price) here on and uncovered this while working in storage today. I\'m curious if the two pieces fit together! Anyway, I am still unwrapping Laskowski specimens and was drenched after going through boxes in very hot storage and then photographing my selections in the bright Arizona sunshine with temps hovering close to 100 degrees. I\'m happy with these photos turned out and really like these specimens! I took over 55 photos today so check back and see what I list! This locality was examined for copper when oxidized bornite and chalcopyrite was discovered by prospectors. The dumps from the trenches attracted the attention of geologists as they contained abundant ludwigite (magnesium iron borate oxide). This led to the discovery of the excellent szaibelyite crystals and the first occurrence (unknown at the time) of fluoborite in the US. The occurrence is located on the west base of Blind Mountain.
I\'ve included a closeup photo to hopefully better show the ludwigite. While this is indeed excellent material, the star of the show in my opinion is the abundance of acicular sprays of snow-white szaibelyite crystals--these need to be examined under magnification to best appreciate. Szaibelyite is a relatively uncommon magnesium borate hydroxide known from fewer than 20 localities in the US.
Please check my response and my other items.All specimens are carefully wrapped, come with complete and accurate labels and are quickly shipped. As always, your complete satisfaction is unconditionally guaranteedand I even offer FREE return shipping on any item that fails to satisfy for any reason---you can\'t go wrong. I\'m reminded of the firm pledge printed on the old Foote Mineral Company mineral catalogs from more than a century ago,
\"Quality of specimens is assured as we permit return of specimens at our expense.\" Thanks for looking!
