Achtaragdite Handbag - Positive and Negative Tristetrahedron
Based on a specimen from Akhtaragda River, Russia
I had a good idea a few years ago as we were getting ready to go to the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show. I had just started making crystal models, and was looking for an easy way to let other collectors know what I was doing. Wouldn’t it be nice, I thought, to make a crystal model handbag and take it to the Tucson show as a conversation starter? The shape of the model I was currently planning seemed perfect for a handbag, and I could just imagine how great it would turn out! The problem was that I didn’t have much experience making models yet. I was still in the slow and careful stage, and I knew I didn’t have enough time left before our departure to finish a handbag.
Tennantite - Tristetrahedron with Dodecahedron and Tetrahedron
Based on a specimen from Zacatecas, Mexico.
Most of the crystal models I make are chosen for the simple reason that I find the particular combination of crystal forms attractive. This little tennantite crystal is no exception, and as soon as I saw it under magnification I decided it needed a model that was easily visible to the naked eye. This one exhibits three crystal forms, a tristetrahedron, dodecahedron, and tetrahedron.