Cylindrite - Santa Cruz Mine, Oruro (Department), Bolivia

Cylindrite

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Cylindrite, a lead-tin-iron-antimony sulphosalt, derives its name from the long cylindrical crystals it forms and this fine miniature is a wonderful example from its type locality at the Santa Cruz mine, close to Poop' town in the Oruro Department of Bolivia. Bright lustrous silver cylindrite crystals completely cover and pervade a core of dark grey massive sulphosalt matrix, probably massive Cylindrite or a groundmass of similar composition. The cylindrical crystals measure up to 3.5 cm by 1 to 2 mm in diameter and form concentric shells of overgrown cylindrical layers. This is a gorgeous and exceptionally fine example of this species with this classically distinct habit. The specimen comes with a thin card Dr F. Krantz stock label and is ex. the Josef Clemente Collection of southern Germany.