NATIVE Bismuth with Molybdenite

Unknown Owner

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Bismuth, as a high temperature metal, is usually associated with tin, tungsten and molybdenum. This small miniature specimen of bright silvery metallic Native Bismuth is from the famous Wolfram Camp in Mareeba Shire, Tablelands Region, Queensland, Australia. As the name suggests, Wolfram Camp started as a tungsten mine, exploiting a rich Wolframite deposit (Ferberite) during the late 19th century but diversified into Molybdenite and Bismuth extraction. Operations continued on and off for over a century with the site only closing within the past decade. Specimens from Wolfram Camp are Australian classics and the association of Native Bismuth with Molybdenite as seen in this piece is quite unusual. The Native Bismuth is tarnished to a dull grey externally, but is mirror-bright silvery metallic on freshly broken surfaces internal surfaces. The bluish-grey Molybdenite forms a lovely contrast, making for a lovely association. Ex David Hardman Collection, no. 4320, he likely obtaining this many decades ago, having started collecting during the 1960s.