Detailed information
Species
Witherite
Dimensions
70 x 87 x 55
mm
Weight
408 g
Locality
Shaft 371, Hartenstein Zwickau District Saxony, Germany
Condition
No recorded repairs
Germany is not a country that immediately springs to mind when thinking of Witherite, but as this fine small cabinet specimen shows, some really fine crystals have been produced. It comes from Shaft 371 at Hartenstein, Zwickau District, Saxony, Germany. This mine was active between 1959 and 1991 for uranium, cobalt, silver and bismuth and Witherite was encountered at the 1305 m level in pseudohexagonal crystals. This wonderful specimen displays a main curved, somewhat domed aggregate of pale cream coloured Witherite comprising flattened hexagonal crystals individually reaching in excess of 3 cm across. Additional to this, there are several excellent smaller, individual hexagonal prismatic Witherite crystals isolated on the matrix. Specimens from this occurrence are rarely seen, let alone ones so well crystallized and in such amazing condition. A real treat for Witherite enthusiasts.