Ilvaite with Pyrite

Ilvaite is an iron-calcium sorosilicate whose type locality is at the very north-eastern tip of the Italian island of Elba, a part of Tuscany.  A cluster of exceptional, coal-black Ilvaite crystals, heavily dusted with micro-crystalline Pyrite, form this charming miniature from this locality at Rio Marina in Livorno Province.  This ex-matrix specimen is framed by two, much larger Ilvaite crystals which measure 3.7 and 4.0 cm tall, with various sized smaller crystals in between.  The Ilvaite is opaque black with vertically striated prism faces and chisel-blade terminations, with a bright glassy lustre.  The coating of bright golden Pyrite micro-crystals show occasional crystal faces, but the majority have a fine-granular texture.  The contrast between the brassy-golden Pyrite and black Ilvaite is tremendous, making this a lovely example of the species from its type locality on Elba.  This specimen is from the Dr Josef Clemente (1899-1987) Collection of southern Germany.