Connellite

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Connellite, hydrated copper sulphate hydroxide chloride, is one of the most desirable species from Wheal Gorland even, dare I say it, 'above Liroconite'. The reason is three-fold: firstly, it is a stunningly beautiful mineral, but; secondly, rarely does it occur in sufficient size to really be enjoyed; thirdly, its history is so intimately intertwinned with that of the famous copper arsenates (Liroconite, Clinoclase and Olivenite) in the mines around the village of St. Day. Despite what Mindat.org says, the Type Locality is not Wheal Providence in St. Ives. The Wheal Providence from where the richest original discoveries were made was one of several small mines operating in the vicinity of the village of St. Day, and was later incorporated into the workings of Wheal Gorland and later still, the St. Day United mines. This large miniature specimen from St. Day is one of the richest I have seen outside of a National Museum. It consists of a heavy piece of solid Cuprite matrix within which there are cavities infilled and lined with exceptional acicular Connellite crystals as radiating sprays with terminated crystals. The crystals are glassy, with a stunning velvety lustre and intense blue colour. The largest area of Connellite measures a staggering 3 x 1.7 cm, with crystals to 2 mm in length, but also continues across to the other side of the specimen. An old collection number label 'CW20' is attached to the specimen. An absolute treasure from Wheal Gorland.