Detailed information
Species
Schwartzembergite
Dimensions
38 x 45 x 34
mm
Weight
98 g
Locality
Beatrix Mine, Caracoles Caracoles mining district, Sierra Gorda Antofagasta Province, Chile
Condition
No recorded repairs
This is a rather splendid specimen of the extremely rare lead iodate chloride Schwartzembergite, but with other undocumented rarities too. Schwartzembergite is a secondary species found predominantly in arid (desert) regions, and forms orange microcrystals coating heavily oxidized Galena. However, in this miniature specimen the oxidized Galena core also displays patches of the discredited species Percylite (the blue-green patches) - which is regarded to be a mixture of Boleite and Diaboleite - and perhaps a white or colourless lead chloride of some sort. It is from Beatrix mine at Caracoles, Sierra Gorda, Antofagasta Province, Chile, and it is in this region where this species was first recorded. Ex the superb systematic collection assembled by brothers Martin and Michael Günther (1951-2007 & 1956-2021).