Azurite on Malachite

Unknown Owner

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The Khusib Springs mine, Grootfontein Constituency, Otjozondjupa Region, Namibia was commissioned in 1996, heralded as the replacement for the famed Tsumeb copper deposit but despite some very high ore grades the deposit was small and it was closed by 2004. Consequently, few mineral specimens from there have been preserved, and even some that were recovered ended up being labelled as from Tsumeb. Mineralogically, Wulfenite is one of the better known species from Khusib Springs mine, but small Azurite crystals are also sometimes seen in collections. This large miniature specimen is certainly very rich compared with other Azurites from this mine illustrated online, and with a backdrop of velvety deep forest-green Malachite coating massive dark grey metallic Chalcocite the well-formed deep blue glossy Azurite crystals look really fine. A couple of the Azurite crystals show some damage, but the others have an extremely fine 'wet' lustre and great shape. Ex Kessler Collection.