NATIVE Bismuth

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This miniature specimen from Schneeberg in Saxony, Germany is a real cracker, both crystallographically and historically. It presents actual well-defined crystals of the metallic element bismuth, as the mineral Native Bismuth. The reason I say 'actual', is that so many specimens of Native Bismuth present cleavage surfaces which look like crystal faces, or worse still artificial Bismuth crystals with their distinctive hoppered crystal form and iridescence. But, this marvellous specimen features several excellent individual Native Bismuth crystals set off perfectly against a backdrop of cream coloured rhombic Dolomite crystals in the classic historic association, or assemblage, from Schneeberg. The largest of the Native Bismuth crystals reaches an impressive 1 cm across. Added to this wonderful appearance is the fact that Schneeberg is where Native Bismuth was first found and described - its Type Locality. This specimen with its classic association and stunning crystals is most likely a significant old-timer, perhaps collected one or even two centuries ago. It is from the superb systematic collection assembled by the brothers Martin and Michael Günther (1951-2007 & 1956-2021).