Description/Interesting Notes:
A historic example of malachite from this classic German locale!!! This specimen consists of a vuggy, limonitic matrix that hosts numerous,
unusually stout, gemmy crystals of deep green malachite scattered across both sides of the matrix!!! While it is difficult to
appreciate from the pictures - the malachite crystals on this specimen are very impressive examples of the species!!! Upon
close inspection, one can see that the crystals are unusually thick and gemmy with sharp, lustrous faces and
sharply defined terminations!!! Usually one only sees malachite as botryoidal, fibrous, acicular, or otherwise complex groups of
minute or intergrown crystals - isolated, prismatic crystals of malachite are quite rare indeed!!!
There are significant crystals scattered all over the specimen, ranging in size up to 6mm!!! In addition, there is also
a small amount of whitish cerussite in association as well - present as a few somewhat massive, whitish groups of crystals (the
cerussite is referred to on the oldest label by the antiquated German term, "weissbleierz" meaning "white lead ore")!!! This
specimen retains an old label from the Louis Stadtmuller (1821-1903) Collection as well as an even earlier, unattributed label and a label from
the collection of Joe Cilen!!! This is OLD material that dates well into the 1800's!!!
The Stadtmuller label notes the locality as Betzdorf, which is just a short distance from Wissen, however the oldest label
confirms the more specific locality, the Friedrich Mine!!! Historic, old time material!!!
The pics hardly do it justice!!! Must be seen in person to be fully appreciated!!!
Good luck and be sure to check out my other exciting mineral auctions on ebay!!! STAY TUNED!!! MORE AUCTIONS WILL BE ADDED MONDAY NIGHT FOR A SPECIAL 3-DAY AUCTION, ENDING THURSDAY AUGUST 9th!!!
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