Cut and Polished Green Agate Geode Slice Group [100]

A specimen of pale blue opal, collection number 333. 258 grams, 59 mm



Acquired on the UK mineral and fossil market, since 1970. From the historic mineral collection of Richard Valentine Cain, London, UK, thence by descent. Accompanied by an original historic index file card.

Two sawn sections showing good Widmanstatten lines and characteristic ablated surface. 8.27 grams total, 18-32 mm



From Namibia, Africa. Acquired from Rod White, UK, 2001. From the private collection of Kenneth Machin (1936-2020), Buckinghamshire, UK; his collection of antiquities and natural history was formed since 1948; thence by descent.

Gibeon is a meteorite that fell in prehistoric times in Namibia and was named after the nearest town. The meteorite was discovered by the Nama people and used by them to make tools and weapons; in 1836 the English captain J. E. Alexander collected samples in the vicinity of the Great Fish River and sent them to London. John Herschel analysed them and confirmed for the first time the extra-terrestrial nature of the material.

Some with dusting of marcasite, each in a labelled specimen box. 504 grams total, 42-59 mm



From Touissite, Morocco, North Africa. Ex Mineral Imports, London, UK. Gregory, Bottley & Lloyd (Gregory's), Harwich, UK.