Description/Interesting Notes:
An incredible example of uraninite with gummite from North Carolina!!! The overwhelming majority of gummite
specimens are simply seen as massive material - however this specimen hosts an incredible, 3cm CRYSTAL of uraninite that
has altered to gummite!!! Gummite is actually a complex, varied combination of several
uranium-bearing species, including Boltwoodite, Clarkeite, Curite, Kasolite, Soddyite, Uraninite, and Uranophane that has a
characteristic "gum" like appearance!!! The overal cubo-octahedral habit of the original uraninite crystal can clearly be seen with
sharp outlines and sharply defined faces!!! The core of the crystal is still a large area of unaltered uraninite!!! One can
see that there are also other crystal forms present, showing various degrees of gummite alteration!!!
There are also brownish colored cyrtolite zircon crystals in association (mostly surrounding the gummite) as well!!!
The gummite shows a gorgeous variety of intense colors and patterns!!! Technically, this is actually a gummite CRYSTAL pseudomorph
after uraninite!!! I have seen some tiny, crude uraninite crystals in gummite before but this sharply defined, 3cm crystal is
just extraordinary!!! The crystallization is much more apparent and dramatic in person as well!!! This
specimen is from the University of Delaware Mineralogical Museum and retains a small note, the
back of which reads "from Lawrence Silver"!!!
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!!!
|
|
