Brookite with Anatase Wolframite Ahlfeld worked the San Jose

Ahlfeld worked the San Jose mine and Itos mine (the other significant Andorite locality at the same mountain in Oruro) when the mines were used predominantly as a major source of tin to the United States during WWII

caterpillar (Lepidoptera larva)

sharpness and a slight amount of iridescent Bornite coating a few of the Tetrahedrite faces

Augelite is not seen often in any format from any locality

I'm always impressed when one finds a piece this size with such good clarity and so many insects preserved within

Brookite with Anatase Wolframite Ahlfeld worked the San JoseEven though Brookite and Anatase are polymorphs, they are rarely found in nature together. As a matter of fact, compared to Rutile and Anatase, Brookite is considerably rarer. This piece is the only specimen to feature Brookite and Anatase together. Out of the hundreds of pieces I've seen from this area, it's incredibly difficult to find any specimens with both species together. A sharp, gemmy, lustrous, flame red colored 9 mm crystal of Brookite is