Wiluite

A superb floater crystal of rare wiluite, a distinct member of the vesuvianite group formally recognized as a separate species in 1997. This specimen consists of a sharply formed, blocky, doubly terminated crystal with a lustrous ditetragonal dipyramidal habit. The crystal displays a rich, mottled blackish-green to dark olive-green colour and is undamaged, despite very minimal edge wear, making it an outstanding example of this uncommon species. Wiluite from the Russian type and co-type localities was long mistaken for vesuvianite, and well-defined, isolated crystals such as this remain especially desirable among collectors.

This specimen originates from the Akhtaragda River, a tributary of the Vilyui River, flowing through the remote taiga of the Siberian Plateau. The Akhtaragda River is part of a geologically complex region known for producing rare and unusual silicate minerals. Wiluite from this area represents material from the species’ type region, making specimens especially significant scientifically and historically. Due to the extreme remoteness and difficult access, high-quality examples such as this are scarce and represent important references for this little-known mineral species.