ZAI1 Cuprosklodowskite

Musonoi Extension, Katanga Province, Democratic Republic of Congo 

7.4x 5.6x 3.8 cm

$1400

Cuprosklodowskite is one of my favorite minerals, with one of the brightest greens in the mineral world.  This is a spectacular cabinet specimen, consisting of a double vug filled with thousands of bright green crystals. 

That in itself is one of the remarkable things about this piece: when you do find a cuprosklodowskite, they usually consist of a solid mass of crystals, with no space to stand freely.

The mines in Katanga have intermittently operated due to the political instability in the region.  The last time cuprosklodowskite was available was 8 years go, though given where it was obtained, this piece is undoubtedly older.

These things are nearly impossible to get, and specimens of this quality and size are particularly scarce.