Ludlockite and Leiteite

Unknown Owner

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Aesthetically nestled in a vug of massive ore are diverging, acicular crystals, to 8 mm in length, of bright orange ludlockite exhibiting super shiny metallic luster. This uncommon lead and iron arsenate, ludlockite, is from the type locality at Tsumeb and one of the few pockets ever found there of this mineral, on the deepest levels of the mine. Small white leiteite crystals are in association. All things considered, this is a fairly rich specimen, and the crystals are nicely protected in a vug for display and survival. The matrix is a massive germanite-rich ore (which they were mining). Ludlockite is named after Charlie Locke Key and his partner Rick Ludlow Smith, who discovered the mineral in 1970. This piece would be from the second, later discovery a few years after, and is still exceptionally rare. Specimens like this are extreely hard to come by, now.