Talmessite var. Cobaltian

Moroccan minerals are a favourite amongst collectors because of their diversity of species, vibrant colours and excellent aesthetics.  This small cabinet specimen is one of the rarer species, Talmessite, a calcium-manganese arsenate and because of its intensely dark blackberry colour must fall under the cobalt-rich, or Cobaltian, variety.  This is a superbly rich specimen from the Aghbar mine in the Bou Azer District of Ouarzazate Province in which the well-formed crystals of Talmessite completely line a 6.5 x 3.0 x 3.0 cm open vug on the display face.  The Talmessite forms gemmy to translucent fans of sharply developed crystals of blackberry to deep aubergine purple, yet around the sides of the vug, where light can pass through the prisms, they grade to shades of cherry red and cerise pink.  An outstanding specimen of Cobaltian Talmessite from the Aghbar mine in Morocco.