Polylithionite with Albite
specimen number:
1052710
location:
Kangerluarsuk Fjord, Ilimaussaq, Kujalleq, Greenland
description: The Kangerluarsuk Fjord region, situated within the world-famous Ilimaussaq alkaline complex in South Greenland, is a legendary mineralogical locality celebrated for producing exceptional, well-crystallized specimens of polylithionite, a rare lithium-rich mica. Geologically, this unique locality represents a highly differentiated, multi-stage agpaitic nepheline syenite intrusion that formed roughly 1.16 billion years ago during the Mesoproterozoic Gardar rift period. The extreme concentration of volatile elements, lithium, zirconium, and rare earth elements within the residual magmas led to the development of complex, late-stage hydrothermal veins and pegmatites where polylithionite precipitated as spectacular, pearly white to pale green micaceous sheets and large blocky crystal aggregates, typically associated with exotic minerals like eudialyte, sodalite, aegirine, and steenstrupine. Historically, due to the remote and harsh Arctic environment, the region has never been subjected to large-scale, continuous industrial open-pit or underground mining, but has instead been explored through highly targeted academic expeditions and selective surface quarrying for research and gemstone material. Organized geological exploration and mineral sampling began in the early nineteenth century following Karl Ludwig Giesecke's initial discoveries between 1806 and 1813, with intermittent, specialized specimen-recovery operations continuing through early Danish state surveys, twentieth-century Soviet collaborations, and modern artisanal expeditions active in waves through 2026, ensuring that Kangerluarsuk polylithionite specimens remain prized global standards for lithium mica mineralogy. Dr. Ludwig Eger (active c. 1870-1915) was a highly respected Austrian mineral dealer based in Vienna who played a significant role in the distribution of Central European and Alpine mineral specimens during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Operating under the firm name "Dr. L. Eger," his business was situated in the heart of Vienna, a primary hub for scientific exchange during the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Eger was noted for his professional, academic approach to the mineral trade, often supplying high-quality, systematic collections to universities and major museums throughout Europe and North America. His labels are easily recognized by their classic 19th-century typography, typically featuring "Dr. L. Eger, Wien" (the German name for Vienna) and providing detailed locality and species data in a formal, structured format. In addition to minerals, Eger dealt in paleontological and zoological specimens, as was common for the natural history establishments of the time.
Good for the species, a cluster of polylithionite crystals with minor albite. The specimen comes with an antique label as shown at the end of the video. Label is an original acquisition date in 1913
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