Pyromorphite

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For any mineral species it is unusual to get a form that presents in such a way as to be uniquely distinctive. If you are a fan of Pyromorphite - lead chlor-phosphate - then I challenge you to find another locality (other than Mercur mine) with crystals quite like these. This miniature specimen is really characterful. Mercur mine is one of the most famous localities for Pyromorphite in Europe - renowned for its magnificent olive-green resinous curved, slightly barrel-shaped crystals aggregated in pure dense masses, but the habit of this specimen is very different and unique as far as I have seen in the world of Pyromorphite occurrences. As a complete all-round crystal aggregate it is extremely fine, but it is its distinctive khaki-green colour, with flashes of brown at the tips of the hexagonal prisms which makes it stand out from the crowd. Additionally, prominent stepped narrower and slightly hoppered terminations are quite unlike most other Pyromorphite specimens I have seen and makes for a really lovely crystal cluster. Individually the crystals reach 1.3 cm in length, but are prominent because of their equally large width and distinctive darker band around each termination. Ex Hettrich Collection.