Detailed information
Dimensions
190 x 260 x 180
mm
Weight
6200 g
Locality
Panasqueira Mine Covilhã, Castelo Branco District Portugal
Condition
No recorded repairs
For those who like larger specimens, this dramatic large crystallized plate of vein minerals from the famous tin-tungsten deposit at Panasqueira mine, Castelo Branco District, Portugal is a stunning display of almost the whole assemblage of minerals found in this, Europe's largest tungsten producer. Museum quality in both size, aesthetics, and general damage-free perfection, the ore mineral, Ferberite, presents as many superbly crystallized, glossy, black, freestanding bladed crystals rising up from the bed of Quartz with impressive, large terminated prismatic Quartz crystals protruding upwards at the other end of the plate. The Ferberite crystals reach over 4.5 cm in length. Between the fine display of Ferberite and Quartz are several distinctive disc-like, biscuit-coloured Siderite crystals and silvery Arsenopyrite, glassy Fluorapatite and micaceous Muscovite complete the absolute classic Panasqueira assemblage. What is more, this specimen comes with a detailed history card, recording how it was owned by the mine manager way back in the 1980s. A rare, and beautiful piece of Portuguese mining history.
