Detailed information
Dimensions
32 x 67 x 29
mm
Weight
44 g
Locality
Total Wreck Mine, Cienega Creek The Narrows, Empire District Pima Co., Arizona, USA
Condition
No recorded repairs
A classic, but a rarely seen one in this quality. Well-known for unusual pseudomorphs of Mottramite after bladed Wulfenite, the Total Wreck mine, at Empire District, Pima Co., Arizona is perhaps better known to collectors for its pure Wulfenite as these Mottramite replacements are just so unusual and somewhat inconspicuous. Ex Paul Matt, this elongated small cabinet-sized aggregate of finely crystallized dark brown, resinous Mottramite microcrystals replacing thin tabular Wulfenite crystals and with subsequent thin coatings of finely crystallized Calcite is a really perfect display of this unusual geochemical conversion. The original Wulfenite crystals reach 1.8 cm on edge and although the Wulfenite is gone, its form is uniquely preserved by dark coloured Mottramite which is visible on one side of each Wulfenite 'blade', but the opposite side is a contrasting white to cream colour and encased in Calcite, providing a fascinating display.
