Metatorbernite: Margabal mine, Entraygues-sur-Truyere, Aveyron, Occitanie, France (M8)

Description

Metatorbernite (M8)

Margabal mine, Entraygues-sur-Truyere, Aveyron, Occitanie, France

Size: 3.7 x 2.5 x 2.1 cm.

Ex. David P. Wilber Collection, Ex. Fine Minerals International

A superb “floater” specimen of sharp, thick, blocky vivid green metatorbernite crystals from the major 2014 find at the Margabal mine in France, considered by many to be the most important metatorbernite find in the world outside of a few small pockets at the Musonoi mine in the Congo in the 1980’s. Dave Wilber, iconic mineral collector of the mid to late 20th century, loved these specimens and bought many of them from Fine Minerals International, who got the best of the pocket. Specimens of this material of this quality have become rather scarce on the market, and this beautiful miniature-size example is sharply crystallized all-around, and has a circa 2014 FMI tag and price with it. Measures ~100,000 CPM on my Ludlum Model 3 Counter with the 44-9 probe.