Detailed information
Species
Ferberite, Siderite, Quartz
Dimensions
128 x 220 x 75
mm
Weight
3543 g
Locality
Panasqueira Mine Covilhã, Castelo Branco District Portugal
Condition
No recorded repairs
Panasqueira mine is not only Europe's most important tungsten mine, but also one of the continent's most important modern mineral producing localities. One of the mineral species for which it is justly famous is Ferberite - the main ore of tungsten. At Panasqueira mine, large, perfectly formed freestanding bladed crystals are well known and represent some of the world's best examples of the species. This enormous specimen - a colossal display plate measuring 22 cm in length - is liberally covered in excellent upright black, glossy, bladed Ferberite crystals to 3 cm across, associated with Quartz and an encrusting layer of finely crystallized orange Siderite. The whole display surface is in excellent condition and makes for an impressive Panasqueira piece. Weighing in at over 3.5 kg, the remarkable density of tungsten can be fully understood.