Detailed information
Species
Azurite, Malachite, ps. after Azurite
Dimensions
52 x 27 x 22
mm
Weight
40 g
Locality
Tsumeb Mine Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region Namibia
Condition
No recorded repairs
This wonderful Azurite miniature presents the classic elongated bladed habit of crystals known from Tsumeb mine in a fine matrixless display. More often than not, these longer Azurite crystals are totally replaced, or pseudomorphed, by green Malachite but this specimen retains fresh unaltered glossy deep blue Azurite along much of its length, including its extremely sharp termination. It is actually two crystals developed parallel to each other in a stepped fashion, both with wonderful terminations. The lower crystal reaches 3.9 cm in length with the upper crystal 3 cm long. There is a tiny chip to one corner of the lower crystal and a line of bladed white Cerussite (or perhaps Anglesite) intruding into the side of the crystal too but otherwise this is an exceptional example of Azurite crystal form. Replacement with Malachite can be seen from the base of the lower crystal upwards. Ex Weyand collection.