Mottramite, Calcite

Unknown Owner

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A visually striking and highly unusual cabinet specimen from the very interestingly named Total Wreck Mine of Arizona. At first glance, the piece looks like sparkly, specular mottramite pseudomorphing an impressive cluster of large azurite or calcite crystals. Closer examination reveals, though, that the mottramite coats intensely brecciated limestone fragments. A nice additional bonus on the back are rich scattered patches of small, lustrous, calcite discs. The mine name may be due to the intense faulting found in the mine. This former Pb-Ag-Cu-Mo-Au-Mn-V mine was discovered in 1879 and was worked until 1940. Ex. Mullane Collection.