Detailed information
Dimensions
54 x 78 x 57
mm
Weight
263 g
Locality
Kabwe Mine (Broken Hill Mine) Kabwe District Central Province, Zambia
Condition
No recorded repairs
The polymetallic mineral deposit at Kabwe mine (Broken Hill mine) in Zambia caused a sensation when it was worked in the 1920s such was the richness of supergene species found there. In particular, the Pyromorphite was amongst the world's best at that time, but there were new species too, in magnificent crystals. Descloizite was not a new species, but some exceptionally well-crystallized specimens were found. Sadly, these are extremely rare items nowadays, which makes this superb small cabinet-sized display specimen from Martin Kershaw's collection (no. 273) so special. With a tiny core of white Quartz, Descloizite fans outwards in bunches of sharp, spear-like crystals, burnt-orange internally and dark cola-brown externally, with the classic glossy, resinous lustre. The tips of a few of the sharply pointed Descloizite crystals are chipped, but the majority are in fine condition and combined with being such a rarity from Kabwe mine makes this an extremely fine display specimen. It is accompanied by Martin Kershaw's typed card label which is slightly water damaged.
