Monazite-(Ce) with Quartz

Monazite-(Ce) with QuartzMonazite gets its name from the Greek word "monazein", which means "to be alone", in allusion to its isolated crystals and their rarity when first found. Monazite is usually found in granitic pegmatites, but these crystals are found in hydrothermal tin veins where there is an absolute absence of Thorium (usually a trace element in Monazite). This is a remarkable, very well crystallized, ridiculously rare, specimen consisting of sharp, lustrous,

except for Huanuni and now defunct

This material is rarely seen in today's market and this particular specimen is at least 35 years old

The crystals are sitting on a thin layer of tan Siderite for an added touch

golden striated Pyrite pyritohedra

Specimen # BOL711B79

the most famous being the Kabwe Mine (Broken Hill Mine) in Zambia

My best guess is that the Zircon crystals were so tightly compacted during their growth that they didn't have any room to completely crystallize and actually formed as amorphous "blebs" under very high temperature and pressure

but these crystals are found in hydrothermal tin veins where there is an absolute absence of Thorium (usually a trace element in Monazite)

“sword”-shaped crystal with a beautiful termination on Pyrite matrix

2 cm Calcite scalenohedron

The crystals on this specimen are sharp

Usually once a piece is more than a few mm thick