VIVIANITE – Large Doubly Terminated Green-Blue Crystal, Morococala Mine, Bolivia

This is a truly captivating vivianite specimen from the world-famous Morococala Mine in Bolivia, one of the most sought-after localities for this species. The piece is dominated by a large, doubly terminated crystal displaying a rich blue-green color with deep, saturated tones, perfectly grown on its natural matrix.

The crystal faces are well-formed, sharp and brilliant, catching the light beautifully and enhancing the three-dimensional presence of the specimen. The combination of the elegant, elongated crystal against the contrasting matrix creates a harmonious and highly scenographic composition, making this piece equally suited to a mineralogical collection of high standing or as a striking decorative object in an exclusive interior.

Vivianite from this locality is historically significant: the mine's most productive vivianite-bearing level operated only for a short window of years and is no longer accessible today, which adds to the rarity and desirability of well-formed specimens like this one.

As with all vivianite, this specimen is naturally light-sensitive and will gradually darken with prolonged exposure to bright light due to its internal oxidation process — we recommend keeping it away from direct, intense light for long periods and displaying it in moderately lit environments to preserve its vivid coloration over time.

Vivianite is a hydrated iron phosphate mineral, chemically defined as a member of the phosphate class. Its striking blue-green color is not present in the freshly formed mineral, which is actually colorless to very pale — the color develops through an internal photo-oxidation process: visible light striking the crystal knocks a proton from one of its structural water molecules, which forces part of the iron content to shift from the ferrous state (Fe2+) to the ferric state (Fe3+) in order to balance the resulting charge. This self-oxidation, occurring entirely within the crystal lattice without any external gain or loss of water or oxygen, is what produces and gradually deepens the characteristic blue to green tones seen in fine specimens like this one — and is also why vivianite continues to darken slowly if kept in bright light over time.

The specimen shows a well-developed doubly terminated prismatic crystal, meaning that termination faces are present at both ends of the crystal rather than only at one — a feature that occurs when a crystal grows freely within an open pocket without being anchored to the cavity wall along its length, a particularly desirable trait for collectors.

The Morococala Mine, a tin deposit in the Santa Fé mining district of Oruro, Bolivia, is historically renowned for a brief but exceptional vivianite-producing period between 1981 and 1992; the specific level that yielded these crystals is now flooded and no longer worked, making well-formed specimens from this find increasingly scarce on the market.

• Formula: Fe₃(PO₄)₂·8H₂O
• Key chemical elements: Iron, Phosphorus, Oxygen, Hydrogen
• Hardness (Mohs scale): 1.5–2
• Mineral class: Phosphates
• Crystal system: Monoclinic
• Crystal habit: Prismatic, doubly terminated, on matrix
• Formation: Secondary mineral formed in low-temperature hydrothermal/metallic ore environments
• Color: Blue-green, caused by internal photo-oxidation of Fe2+ to Fe3+
• Locality status: Historic find (1981–1992), source level now flooded and depleted
• Special features: Light-sensitive — recommend display away from prolonged intense light

The Morococala Mine, a tin mine located roughly 40 km southeast of Oruro in Bolivia, became world-famous among mineral collectors for a remarkable period between 1981 and 1992, when a single underground level produced some of the largest and most spectacular vivianite crystals ever found. According to mining folklore, production of these specimens was eventually curtailed when mine management judged that miners were spending too much time collecting the prized crystals instead of extracting ore, and the vivianite-bearing section of the mine was subsequently sealed off. Today that historic level lies flooded, meaning no new vivianite specimens can be extracted from it — every piece from this find is a finite remnant of that legendary period. Vivianite itself is named after the British mineralogist and politician John Henry Vivian, who first described the mineral from a find in Cornwall, England, in the early 19th century.

In crystal healing traditions, vivianite is regarded as a stone of compassion and emotional renewal, believed to help release old patterns of grief and open the heart to new beginnings. Its watery blue-green color is often associated with calm, clarity and gentle emotional flow, making it a favorite among practitioners of crystal therapy and lithotherapy for meditation and heart-centered work. Some also consider it a stone that encourages honest self-reflection and inner growth. As with all crystal healing practices, these interpretations are not scientifically proven.

Photos: All photographs are taken under professional lighting conditions to accurately highlight crystal structure, color and detail. However, slight variations in tone and appearance may occur depending on screen calibration and ambient lighting conditions.

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Multiple purchases can be consolidated into a single shipment, including items from different auctions or separate orders, by simply contacting us to arrange combined shipping. For high-value specimens, direct delivery by appointment is also available, either at home or at major European mineral shows and fairs.