Cuprian Smithsonite on and With Cerussite - image 1

Cuprian Smithsonite on and With Cerussite - image 2

Cuprian Smithsonite on and With Cerussite

Unknown Owner

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A totally unique piece like none I have ever seen before! This remarkable combo piece features cuprian smithsonite encrusting an odd extension of the adjoining reticulared cerussite, and then draping over parts of that crystal as well. Smaller reticulated, gemmy cerussites crowd in at the junction. I think this represents several stages of cerussite growth, actually, in that the smithsonite replaced one generation and habit, but NOT the other which came along in part after the smithsonite casting was done (since little retic cerus nest in the junction - see below). It may have pseudomorphed that vertical extension, as that portion seems all smithsonite and not cerussite. It is a replacement or a cast, at the very least, of that second habit of cerussite. It is extremely odd in appearance, and you just sort of hold it and say "what the heck happened here," but it is very aesthetic as well. Complete and displayable from all sides with just the tiniest of edge wear.