Detailed information
Species
Malachite
Dimensions
37 x 32 x 22
mm
Weight
22 g
Locality
Friedrich Mine, Schönstein Wissen, Siegerland Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
Condition
No recorded repairs
Without doubt, Malachite from the Friedrich mine at Schönstein in Wissen, Rhineland-Palatinate, is now considered a rare old-time German classic. This mine began operations in 1803 as an iron, copper and nickel mine and worked intermittently before eventually closing in 1953. Thirty six mineral species are recorded amongst which Malachite is especially sought because of its deep emerald green, thick-set acicular crystals. This is what is sometimes termed "primary Malachite", indicating it not derived from secondary deposition processes or as an alteration product from, say, Azurite, as in a pseudomorph. Two radiating clusters of glassy, deep emerald green acicular Malachite sit slightly separated by a granular, chocolate limonitic matrix with Malachite crystals exceeding 1 cm in length. A superb and rare Malachite from Friedrich mine, Schönstein.