Bolivian Ludlamite
Ludlamite Crystals from
Huanuni, Oruro, Bolivia
The primary crystal habit of the new Ludlamite crystals
from Huanuni, Bolivia is the typical tabular monoclinic
crystal parallel to the clinopinacoid b {010} face and
elongated up to 1” on the orthopinacoid a {100}, as well
as being widest at the center of {100} thus the classic
“coffin-shaped” crystals with a discernible pearly luster
on the b {010} face are nearly always observed. Some
of the crystals exhibit a very small lustrous c {001}
basal termination face, however most of the crystals
have very oblique terminations which come to acute
vertexes with absolutely no visible basal pinacoids.
The crystal habits of these new Huanuni Ludlamites
are quite identical to the now famous, contemporary,
world-class Heulandite crystals from Jalgaon, India.
In addition to the textbook single crystals, Huanuni
Ludlamites, which are translucent to totally transparent
at the tips of the terminations and range in colour from
a bright mint-green to an apple-green to a deep
grass-green to a grayish-yellow color, also form
somewhat unique and extremely attractive crystal
“sprays” or “fans” made up of radiating crystals. Very
rare and aesthetic “bow ties”, which not unexpectedly,
are also quite identical to the rare Heulandite “bow ties”
from Jalgaon. Over a century ago, on rare occasions,
Ludlamite “bow ties” have formerly been recovered
from the old “type locality” (1877) of Wheal Jane near
Truro, Cornwall, England.
Although not the largest in the world, the Huanuni
Ludlamite crystals are now certainly the most aesthetic
and arguably the most crystallographically diverse
Ludlamite specimens to be found anywhere to the
present time.
The largest Ludlamite crystal extant is a 3 1/2” long,
single prism of a fine mint-green color that was found
in a single basketball-size vug at the San Antonio mine
in the Santa Eulalia district, Chihuahua, Mexico on
November 10, 1982. Unfortunately, this “Ludlamite”
section of a spiral ramp construction hit a large
watercourse which flooded this level of the mine shortly
after the original Ludlamite discovery was made. This
section was temporarily dewatered briefly, but no more
Ludlamite was ever found.
No. Bltd 24 Lud
LUDLAMITE on Pyrite -
$375 (SOLD)
Fine, sharp, green sprays of Ludlamite on cubic Pyrite.
This specimen displays as shown without the need of
a stand.
Locality: Huanuni mine, Huanuni, Dalence Province,
Oruro Department, Bolivia
Specimen Size: 8 x 6 x 2.5 cm. (Largest Crystal Group:
1.1 cm. across)
|
To order this specimen click
here
|
No. Bltd 6 Lud
LUDLAMITE with Siderite on Pyrite -
(SOLD)
Superb, sharp, lustrous, green crystal group of
Ludlamite on Limonite with underlain Pyrite associated
with brownish-grey Siderite scalenohedra.
Locality: Huanuni mine, Huanuni, Dalence Province,
Oruro Department, Bolivia
Specimen Size: 6 x 4.2 x 3 cm. (Crystal Group: 1.5 cm.
long)
|
To order this specimen click
here
|
No. Bltd 25 Lud
LUDLAMITE on Pyrite -
$1250
This is, in my opinion, the single best "cabinet" size
specimen in the lot. There are several, excellent,
sharp, lustrous, deep-green crystal "sprays" of
Ludlamite on this specimen with an association of
Sphalerite and an unusual, modified rhombic crystal of
yellowish Siderite on the reverse side of the specimen.
This is a fantastic piece for any collector who is looking
for a larger Bolivian Ludlamite.
Locality: Huanuni mine, Huanuni, Dalence Province,
Oruro Department, Bolivia
Specimen Size: 8.5 x 8 x 3.5 cm. (Largest Crystal
Group: 1.6 cm. across)
|
To order this specimen click
here
|
No. Bltd 10 Lud
LUDLAMITE on Pyrite -
$150
This is another unusual specimen from this find. It has
an interestingly large, lustrous, green "spray" of
Ludlamite on a matrix of Pyrite (some primary, some
are pseudomorphs) with spherical Siderite crystals. It
has great contrast, color and aesthetics.
Locality: Huanuni mine, Huanuni, Dalence Province,
Oruro Department, Bolivia
Specimen Size: 6 x 4.5 x 2.5 cm. (Largest Crystal
Group: 1.8 cm. across)
|
To order this specimen click
here
|
No. Bltd 3 Lud
LUDLAMITE with Vivianite on Limonite
with underlain Pyrite -
$150 (SOLD)
Another of the associated minerals of this discovery is
Vivianite. Vivianite has been long known from many
localities in Bolivia, including Huanuni, so this really
shouldn't be a surprise to anyone that is was in this
find. What surprised me was how few Vivianite crystals
actually were found associated with Ludlamite,
especially considering their chemical composition is
identical spare 4 water molecules. The Vivianite on this
specimen is well-terminated and compliments the
sharp, lustrous Ludlamite crystals well.
Locality: Huanuni mine, Huanuni, Dalence Province,
Oruro Department, Bolivia
Specimen Size: 5 x 4.5 x 3 cm. (Largest Crystal Group:
1.2 cm. across)
|
To order this specimen click
here
|
No. Bltd 23 Lud
LUDLAMITE on Limonite with underlain Pyrite -
$275
A "cabinet" specimen with some nice, sharp, gemmy,
green Ludlamite "sprays". The display side of the
specimen has only Limonite, but the reverse or
non-display side shows that there are dozens of highly
lustrous, sharp, Pyrite cubes.
Locality: Huanuni mine, Huanuni, Dalence Province,
Oruro Department, Bolivia
Specimen Size: 12 x 7.3 x 4 cm. (Largest Crystal Group:
1.5 cm. across)
|
To order this specimen click
here
|
No. Bltd 1 Lud
LUDLAMITE on Pyrite with Siderite -
$475 (SOLD)
A real killer "miniature" size specimen, and one of the
best pieces from this find that I have for sale. There is
a concentration of large, superb, sharp, gemmy,
lustrous, crystallized "sprays" of Ludlamite on Limonite
with underlain Pyrite and micro scalenohedral Siderite
crystals. The reverse side of the specimen shows that
there are many sharp, cubic Pyrite crystals. A very
interesting morphology and a great collector specimen.
Locality: Huanuni mine, Huanuni, Dalence Province,
Oruro Department, Bolivia
Specimen Size: 4 x 4 x 1.5 cm. (Largest Crystal Group:
1.7 cm. across)
|
To order this specimen click
here
|
No. Bltd 73 Lud
LUDLAMITE on Pyrite -
$245
Sharp, lustrous, aesthetic, gemmy, green crystals of
Ludlamite covering cubic Pyrite crystals. It is especially
unique because of the "rabbit-ear" shaped crystals at
the top of the specimen. This is an excellent piece with
some really choice quality Ludlamites.
Locality: Huanuni mine, Huanuni, Dalence Province,
Oruro Department, Bolivia
Specimen Size: 3.5 x 2.3 x 2 cm. (Largest Crystal
Group: 1 cm. across)
|
To order this specimen click
here
|
No. Bltd 31 Lud
LUDLAMITE on Limonite with underlain Pyrite -
$275 (SOLD)
A really great, "miniature" size specimen with superb,
sharp, gem/gemmy, green crystal groups on
Limonite with underlain Pyrite. This piece has a crystal
group which is so clear that it would actually yield a
gemstone ! Very attractive !!
Locality: Huanuni mine, Huanuni, Dalence Province,
Oruro Department, Bolivia
Specimen Size: 4 x 4 x 1.8 cm. (Largest Crystal Group:
1.6 cm. across)
|
To order this specimen click
here
|
No. Bltd 78 Lud
LUDLAMITE on Pyrite -
$250 (SOLD)
This specimen does not have the largest crystals, but
definitely has the most crystals. A complete
coverage of gemmy, bright green, sharp, lustrous,
well-formed Ludlamite crystals on a layer of
scalenohedral Siderite which sits upon a layer of micro
cubic Pyrite crystals.
Locality: Huanuni mine, Huanuni, Dalence Province,
Oruro Department, Bolivia
Specimen Size: 5.5 x 4.8 x 2.5 cm. (Largest Crystal
Group: 0.9 cm. across)
|
To order this specimen click
here
|
No. Bltd 94 Lud
LUDLAMITE on Pyrite -
$75
Beautiful, sharp, lustrous, gemmy, green crystals
"sprays" of Ludlamite on sharp, splendent Pyrite cubes.
Locality: Huanuni mine, Huanuni, Dalence Province,
Oruro Department, Bolivia
Specimen Size: 2.7 x 2.7 x 1.3 cm. (Largest Crystal
Group: 1.4 cm. across)
|
To order this specimen click
here
|
No. Bltd 401 Lud
LUDLAMITE on Pyrite -
$500 (SOLD)
A magnificent, large, sharp, lustrous, deep green,
gemmy crystal spray of Ludlamite aesthetically perched
on a plate of crystallized cubic Pyrite. One of the best
Ludlamite specimens that I have ever offered for sale.
Locality: Huanuni mine, Huanuni, Dalence Province,
Oruro Department, Bolivia
Specimen Size: 5.6 x 4.5 x 2.7 cm. (Crystal Group: 2.0
cm. across)
|
To order this specimen click
here
|
No. Bltd 80 Lud
LUDLAMITE on Pyrite -
$95 (SOLD)
A very aesthetic, sharp, highly lustrous, gemmy, green
crystal "spray" poised on sharp, lustrous, cubic Pyrite
crystals. Excellent aesthetics for a smaller specimen.
Locality: Huanuni mine, Huanuni, Dalence Province,
Oruro Department, Bolivia
Specimen Size: 3.5 x 3 x 1.5 cm. (Crystal Group: 1.5 cm.
across)
|
To order this specimen click
here
|
No. Bltd 37 Lud
LUDLAMITE on Pyrite and Siderite -
$95 (SOLD)
A cute "thumbnail" size specimen with a sharp,
lustrous, gemmy, green "spray" of Ludlamite crystals
on a mound of micro Pyrite crystals with scalenohedral,
dark brown Siderite crystals.
Locality: Huanuni mine, Huanuni, Dalence Province,
Oruro Department, Bolivia
Specimen Size: 2.3 x 2 x 1 cm. (Crystal Group: 1.3 cm.
across)
|
To order this specimen click
here
|
No. Bltd 36 Lud
LUDLAMITE on Limonite -
$175 (SOLD)
This piece has a superb, large, sharp, lustrous,
gem/gemmy, doubly-terminated, individual, green
crystal that is aesthetically positioned in a very optimal
spot on the specimen. There is a small area in this
crystal which is flawless. I have tried to illustrate this as
best as I can.
Locality: Huanuni mine, Huanuni, Dalence Province,
Oruro Department, Bolivia
Specimen Size: 3 x 2 x 0.7 cm. (Largest Crystal Group:
2.0 cm. across)
|
To order this specimen click
here
|
No. Bltd 122 Lud
LUDLAMITE on Pyrite -
$75 (SOLD)
A nice "thumbnail" size specimen with good, lustrous,
green crystals on Pyrite.
Locality: Huanuni mine, Huanuni, Dalence Province,
Oruro Department, Bolivia
Specimen Size: 2.6 x 2 x 1.2 cm. (Largest Crystal
Group: 0.7 cm. across)
|
To order this specimen click
here
|
|
