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Wulfenite on Baryte
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This is a phenomenally important specimen from one of the great historic finds of this species. Wulfenite is a well-known secondary lead species, and Los Lamentos has produced among the finest, if not the finest, specimens in the world. Most of this classic style of robust "caramel cube" crystal habit date to the 1960s into the early 1970s. Such quality has not been seen since. This piece conveys the rich historic impact of such finds, and yet with aesthetics for the modern collector. Richly covering the white baryte matrix, the wulfenite crystals, as stout as you will find anywhere, extend up to 2.5 cm on edge. The mirror-like luster and complex growth enhance the burnt-orange color, and some of the crystals exhibit a classic 'sandwich' style growth with color variation (this distinct habit can remind one of an Oreo cookie, but one specially made for Halloween). The growth pattern practically shouts 'Los Lamentos', and makes the specimen even more desirable. Normally, the thin blade of most wulfenites are prone to chipping, but these thick and firm crystals exhibit only the smallest amount of wear, making them remarkably pristine - especially given their antiquity. Superior aesthetics with such dramatic contrasts in form and color, this piece dates to the 1960s and 1970s. It was briefly in the collection of Wally Mann, as well as formerly in the collections of Thomas N. McKee (a legendary collection in Arizona, once noted for the fine quality and aesthetics in a time when many collections were simply not up to that level); and the great Jack Halpern. Jack bought it from Mexican specialist Evan Jones sometime around 2010. Shown as a full page photo in the book Addicted to Beauty: The Legacy of Jack Halpern (2025) by the Mineralogical Record, on page 90.
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