Detailed information
Species
Meneghinite, Quartz
Dimensions
47 x 34 x 28
mm
Weight
46 g
Locality
Bottino Mine, Stazzema Apuan Alps, Lucca Province Tuscany, Italy
Condition
No recorded repairs
This remarkable crystallized specimen of Meneghinite from the Type Locality at Bottino mine, Tuscany, Italy, heralds from the magnificent systematic collection assembled by brothers Martin and Michael Günther (1951-2007 & 1956-2021). Why is it remarkable? Well, it features not one, but two impressive 3-dimensional wire-like crystals of Meneghinite on Quartz matrix, the longest reaching 1.2 cm in length. Both crystals display fine detail, such as linear growth lines. Miniature in size, the specimen also shows the assemblage of associated species, including the Quartz veinstone, minor Chalcopyrite and a prominent large area of massive grey sulphosalt - possibly more Meneghinite. Bottino mine is an ancient one, dating to pre-Roman times. Meneghinite, a lead copper antimony sulphide, was described from there in 1852 and despite it having been identified in many other places worldwide the crystals from Bottino mine remain the world's best.