Wulfenite

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This large, slightly curved tabular Wulfenite crystal is a sensational small cabinet specimen from the Tsumeb mine in Namibia and, based on the many hundred I must have seen over the years, is unique. For starters it is big, measuring 3.5 cm wide by at least 2.5 cm high, with more of this dimension embedded in the matrix. The crystal is approximately 5 mm thick at its centre and tapers out to a razor-shape knife-edges around its periphery. It is a highly flattened bipyramid, with four sided pyramidal faces on display. Around the edges where a little light is transmitted its colour is deep buff, but as the prism thickens it rapidly becomes deep clove brown to almost black. The matrix is that of the near-surface levels at Tsumeb, but certainly not a typical matrix, appearing almost chloritic, like a porous slag. Fear not, it is a natural gossan matrix from the higher part of the ore pipe, pervaded with small Wulfenite crystals of a similar dark colour. All Wulfenite crystals present, big or small, have a bright glassy lustre. An outstanding and show-stopping Tsumeb Wulfenite.