Brazilian Ludlamite!

Brazilian Ludlamite!


Late last year, there was a massive find of vivianite at Cabeza do Cachorro, near the Colombian border in the Brazilian Amazon.  By now many of you have doubtlessly seen the vivianite specimens of various qualities that have made their way into the market— most went from Brazil to China in a single multi-ton lot, before being sold on.  Unfortunately, shortly after they arrived in China, the market and surrounding city were locked down due to COVID. Included in that multi-ton lot were a very small number of these exceptional ludlamite specimens— before the lockdown I had asked my friend to keep an eye out, and sure enough, a few days after the restrictions were lifted, she happened upon these. 


This locality has been producing specimens since 2015, though the production has almost exclusively been vivianite— with very few exceptions (I’ve literally only seen a few approaching this quality since then) the ludlamite has typically just been an accessory— after all, all that separates the two species chemically are 4 water molecules.  I suspect most of the larger-crystal examples posted here came from a single pocket.


As far as collectors are concerned, this species is pretty much known from 5 localities: Huanuni, Bolivia; Santa Eulalia, Mexico (70’s); Lemhi Co., Idaho (60’s); Trepca, Kosovo (80’s-90’s); and this locality in Brazil. Huanuni has undeniably produced the best specimens— some of you may recall the 2019 pocket with pinwheels that reached 3 inches.  In my opinion, these are the second best examples of the species— they are nearly identical to the habit from Idaho, only much richer and with larger crystals.  And as far as bang for your buck, they are almost impossible to beat— a couple examples posted here (with smaller crystals) are near identical to the Idaho material, though priced at about 1/2-1/3 of what those would be. What you get from Huanuni for similar prices is usually much smaller— and when you encounter the really good ones, the prices go crazy. 


At the end of the page, I have also re-posted a “typical” Santa Eulalia specimen and a “typical” Huanuni specimen (not from the 2019 pocket, but rather what would normally be encountered).  If you compare, you will see that this long, winding introduction is not just me bloviating… in fact I’d even say to look at Idaho and Brazil ludlamites on Mindat to really see why these are special. 

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BLDM01 Ludlamite
Cabeca do Cachorro, Sao Gabriel da Cachoeira, Amazonas, Brazil
20.0x 15.6x 7.8 cm
$5400

A very large specimen of ludlamite from the Brazilian Amazon, near the border with Colombia.  This is an exceptionally large and rich example of the species with an almost wet luster. In the page introduction I wrote at length about why they're special, repeating the same text in every individual description would just screw up the formatting and probably be annoyingly repetitive.... but I will say: you would be hard pressed to find more ludlamite on a single specimen anywhere else. A couple minor blemishes, saw marks on the side.













BLDM02 Ludlamite
Cabeca do Cachorro, Sao Gabriel da Cachoeira, Amazonas, Brazil
13.7x 12.3x 2.8 cm
$2800

A large specimen of ludlamite from the Brazilian Amazon, near the border with Colombia.  This is an exceptionally large and rich example of the species with an almost wet luster. Introduction I wrote at length about why they're special, repeating it in every description would just screw up the formatting.... but I will say: you would be hard pressed to find more ludlamite on a single specimen anywhere else.  







BLDM03 Ludlamite
Cabeca do Cachorro, Sao Gabriel da Cachoeira, Amazonas, Brazil
14.0x 8.6x 9.5 cm
$1900

A beautiful and very rich example of ludlamite from the Brazilian Amazon.  This one is gently concave, shaped a bit like a geode. There is a lightly altered patch where the color is lighter, stabilized matrix. 









BLDM04 Ludlamite
Cabeca do Cachorro, Sao Gabriel da Cachoeira, Amazonas, Brazil
8.7x 4.9x 2.1 cm
$1000

Not the biggest, but probably one of my favorites in the update.  Very very rich with a top luster that almost makes it look wet!







BLDM05 Ludlamite
Cabeca do Cachorro, Sao Gabriel da Cachoeira, Amazonas, Brazil
9.2x 7.5x 3.4 cm
$1100

An exceptionally rich ludlamite specimen with top luster-- it almost looks wet!









BLDM06 Ludlamite
Cabeca do Cachorro, Sao Gabriel da Cachoeira, Amazonas, Brazil
10.4x 7.8x 3.2 cm
$1280

A great example of ludlamite from the 2021 find in Brazil.  This one has a slightly concave matrix that gives a bit more of a pocket-like feel. Excellent luster!







BLDM07 Ludlamite
Cabeca do Cachorro, Sao Gabriel da Cachoeira, Amazonas, Brazil
16.0x 9.3x 3.5 cm
$1280

A very large and rich ludlamite specimen from Brazil.  This one has a couple spots of damage near the top and bottom edges-- I've tried to highlight them a bit in the pictures.  Regardless, the thing is huge and has an incredible amount of ludlamite on it.  This could even trimmed further into a few pieces..... saw marks on the back. 









BLDM08 Ludlamite
Cabeca do Cachorro, Sao Gabriel da Cachoeira, Amazonas, Brazil
8.8x 6.5x 2.7 cm
$880

A beautiful and exceptional example of ludlamite from Brazil, with a top luster-- it almost looks wet!







BLDM09 Vivianite with Ludlamite
Cabeca do Cachorro, Sao Gabriel da Cachoeira, Amazonas, Brazil
11.5x 5.8x 3.5 cm
$495

A nice combination specimen of bluish green vivianite, with several ludlamite crystals scattered in. A couple of the ludlamites have small scratches. 







BLDM10 Ludlamite
Cabeca do Cachorro, Sao Gabriel da Cachoeira, Amazonas, Brazil
10.8x 5.1x 2.7 cm
$685

A beautiful and very rich ludlamite specimen from Brazil-- this one has slightly smaller crystals, but the top wet luster, and (again) exceptional richness.  Because I'm pricing it in comparison to the others (crystal size), I think it ends up being a particularly good deal.... I mean, try to find a ludlamite like this from any other locality and see what the prices will be =D









BLDM12 Ludlamite
Cabeca do Cachorro, Sao Gabriel da Cachoeira, Amazonas, Brazil
10.5x 8.5x 2.4 cm
$465

A layer of lustrous ludlamite crystals on an iron rich matrix-- this one looks identical to the old 1960's Idaho material. 







BLDM13 Ludlamite
Cabeca do Cachorro, Sao Gabriel da Cachoeira, Amazonas, Brazil
11.4x 7.8x 2.4 cm
$385

A layer of lustrous ludlamite crystals on an iron rich matrix-- this one looks identical to the old 1960's Idaho material. A couple blemishes, saw marks on bottom. 







BLDM14 Ludlamite
Cabeca do Cachorro, Sao Gabriel da Cachoeira, Amazonas, Brazil
5.0x 3.8x 2.7 cm
$285

A beautiful example of ludlamite from Brazil, with nicely isolated crystals aesthetically positioned on their matrix. Sawn side. 







BLDM15 Ludlamite
Cabeca do Cachorro, Sao Gabriel da Cachoeira, Amazonas, Brazil
11.8x 10.0x 2.6 cm
$375

Numerous ludlamite crystals on an iron rich matrix, with a bit of vivianite near the top.  







S17PE18 Ludlamite
Huanuni mine,Huanuni, Dalence Province, Oruro Department, Bolivia
4.8x 4.1x 3.2 cm
$275

A rich example of ludlamite from Bolivia, that somehow made its way down to Peru.









SLX06 Ludlamite
San Antonio Mine, Santa Eualia, Chihuahua, Mexico
4.9x 3.7x 1.6 cm
$385

A beautiful (and old) example of ludlamite from Mexico.  Pretty much the only "fresh" specimens these days come from the Huanuni Mine in Bolivia, this one however probably dates to the 1970's.









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