AN IMPORTANT LLAMA BEZOAR STONE FROM THE ANDEAN MOUNTAINS OF SOUTH AMERICAInventory Number: C564 (TM9209)
Origin: Reportedly from the western province of Pacajes, Department of La Paz, Bolivia. High Andean Altiplano (12,500 to 14,500 feet elevation), South America.
Species: Llama -- Lama glama (Linnaeus, 1758).
Size (maximum by minimum): This incredibly large stone measures 7.06 cm. by 6.12 cm. by 5.83 cm.
Approximate Weight: 231.6 grams.
Basic Form: Large, goose egg shape – refer to photos and size.
Colors: Lightly variegated beige and ivory colors with traces of black, reddish brown, and yellowish spots.
Observations: C564 represents one of the greatest bezoar stones ever found. It is incredibly large at more than 2 3/4-inches long and weighs 231.6 grams. Its form is a perfect egg shape. One observer thought it was a dinosaur egg. The stone has had a number of owners in recent years and was thought to be the largest llama bezoar stone in existence, which it is not. It is, however, among the most perfectly shaped of all llama bezoar stones. The surface is smooth and hard with a beautiful color having subtle variations and minute specks of other colors. Years ago, a child of one of the owners accidentally dropped the stone and two small pieces of a thick outer cap fell out from one end. One piece was recovered but the other was never found. The retrieved piece (now having the inventory number 9209) was reattached. The remaining open space reveals the white crystalline formation of a thick, outer cap over a hard, smooth inner sphere with a light gray exterior. The exact size of the missing piece is 2.78 cm. by 2.09 cm. [about the size of a normally "large" bezoar stone]; the outer cap is 0.56 cm thick. The breakage caused a few, mostly hairline-sized, cracks to the surface. Still, the missing sherd allows a perfect view of the unusual formation of the last veneer of this awesome Andean Pearl. The stone is undoubtedly of prehistoric age and has been passed down through countless generations of Andean shamans and wealthy admirerers.
Cautionary Suggestion: Your GUARANTEED AUTHENTIC bezoar stone should arrive intact as illustrated in the photos. Although this example is solid, hard, dense and compact, it is not a rock and can break. You should not drop it.