Wittichenite
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The ArkenstoneFeatured
This superb and large cluster of Wittichenite crystals came out of a single discovery in Australia sometime in the early 2000s and the entire pocket found was brought to market by Australia-based mineral collector and exploration geologist Bob Noble around 2010-12. Wittichenite is a very rare copper bismuth sulfide and the ones from the Cattle Grid deposit are simply the world's best by an order of magnitude. They were shocking when they came out, and collectors lined up to buy world class thumbnail specimens - single crystals - for $5000-10,000 each at the time. Most pieces that were recovered were of thumbnail size, and in single crystals. It is thought that the entire production came from one or two pockets, each very small. I have only seen perhaps 2 dozen thumbnails and only 2 significant full miniatures (this one and the large single crystal now in the MIM museum Beirut - which I was second in line for and waiting to buy, with Bill Pinch, for a 6-figure price even at that time). This, however, is a very rare cluster of crystals in miniature size (not simply a large single), with the largest crystal in the group measuring an impressive 3.5 cm! There are several crystals clustered at the bottom of the piece that vary from 1 to 1.2 cm in size. The metallic, blue-black iridescent, orthorhombic crystals have a refined, well-formed, machine-sharp look to them, unique among such sulfide species. The small black crystals associated with it are chalcocite. These are long gone and only become available in old collections now, as they went to the major collectors of the time. This is competitive as a miniature at the highest level, and is exceptional for any serious rare species collector. This piece was acquired by, and purchased from, Bob Noble, the author of the article on the discovery. Paul regarded this as his finest Australian mineral specimen and would never part with it while alive, at any price. For more information see: Noble, Robert (2013) Wittichenite from the Cattle Grid Pit, Mount Gunson Mine, South Australia, The Mineralogical Record, 44 (2) 133-143. Ex. Robert Noble and Paul Stahl collections. Noble is well known for his expertise on Aussie localities and rare species; and is also the author of the 1983 publication Catalogue of South Australian minerals.
Product details
Species
SizeMiniature
Dimensions3.8 x 2.9 x 1.5 cm
Added on06/26/2026
Locality
Cattle Grid deposit, Oakden Hills, Pastoral Unincorporated Area, South Australia, Australia
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