Bastnasite – Zegi Mountain, Kafor Dheri, Pakistan

An attractive bastnäsite crystal from Zegi Mountain, Kafor Dheri near Peshawar, Pakistan, displaying rich reddish-brown to dark brown coloration with translucent amber-toned edges.

The specimen features a prominent, well-developed bastnäsite crystal with broad lustrous faces and natural growth features along its edges. Its deep coloration becomes noticeably lighter and more translucent toward thinner portions of the crystal, adding visual interest. It is now mounted in a perky box for display.

Bastnäsite is a rare-earth carbonate-fluoride mineral, most commonly containing cerium and other light rare-earth elements. Well-crystallized specimens are sought after by collectors both for their distinctive crystal forms and their unusual rare-earth chemistry.

Minerals: Bastnäsite
Locality: Zegi Mountain, Kafor Dheri, near Peshawar, Pakistan
Crystal System: Hexagonal
Mineral Class: Carbonate (carbonate-fluoride)
Provenance: Ex Rob Belcher (The Aesthetics Underground)
Dimensions: 3.25 × 2.5 x 0.7 cm