This well-crystallized sulphosalt miniature displays the extremely rare lead arsenic sulphide, Gratonite, from the area of its Type Locality - Cerro De Pasco, Peru. Described and named in 1939, the world's best crystals of Gratonite still come from Cerro De Pasco. Crystals never reach more than a few mm in length and usually coalesce as radiating aggregates, often detached from matrix as small sprays typically less than 1 cm in diameter. This extremely fine example, formerly in the exceptional rare species collection of Professor Werner Paar, is on matrix, and features roughly 50 % Quartz veinstone with the top 1.5 cm of the specimen displaying perfect terminated trigonal Gratonite crystals, individually reaching 2.5 mm in length. These crystals are decidedly fresh, with a lovely glossy, dark grey appearance. Having matrix attached really enhances the quality of this piece, and has allowed it to be mounted upright for display on an acrylic base. A top quality Gratonite from the world's first, and premier occurrence.
