Libethenite ex. Roebling Coll. - image 1

Libethenite ex. Roebling Coll. - image 2

Libethenite ex. Roebling Coll. - image 3

Libethenite ex. Roebling Coll. - image 4

Libethenite ex. Roebling Coll. - image 5

Libethenite ex. Roebling Coll. - image 6

Libethenite ex. Roebling Coll.

Unknown Owner

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Two large, dark green, equant, tetragonal, intergrown crystals of libethenite are perched atop a gossan-quartz matrix from this classic Cornish locality. The two crystals measure 1.0 and 1.1 cm in maximum dimension and are well-formed and largely complete excepting a ding on each of the crystals. Another pair of small, intergrown crystals are found lower on the base along with several other 1 mm, sparking, dark green, pseudo-octahedral crystals. Libethenite is an uncommon copper phosphate sometimes found in the oxidized portions of copper deposits. This is the most important historic locality for large crystals, and such specimens date to the early to mid 1800's and are obviously very scarce! Ex. Kay Robertson collection with label, and a label from the U. S. National Museum (Smithsonian's Washington Roebling collection). The Henson label further dates the piece to the later 1800's: https://mineralogicalrecord.com/labels.asp?colid=571. Samuel Henson took over the family mineral business following his mother's death, moving it to 277 Strand in 1878-1888 (the address on this label thus showing he had it after moving his father's inventory or collection over). This is a competitive-quality display miniature of one of the ultimate Cornish rarities, seldom seen for sale.