Ludlamite with Siderite and Quartz

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If any specimen's description has to begin with a great big massive Wow, then this is it! A Ludlamite from its Type Locality of Wheal Jane in Cornwall, probably one of the very best specimens ever found in the mine and believe me, this is not hype! An approximately 9 x 5 cm vug forms the heart of this cabinet specimen in a matrix of dense dark grey Quartz-rich matrix pervaded with what looks like massive Pyrrhotite, Chalcopyrite and Arsenopyrite. The vug and surrounding areas of the matrix are densely coated with acicular crystals of needle Quartz, much of which is overgrown with beautiful double-terminated feathered bunches of golden amber-brown Siderite crystals. Please note on all the accompanying labels Sphalerite is named, but this has been mistaken for Siderite. This would be delightful in itself, but now add an almost continuous overgrowth of magnificent translucent lime-green Ludlamite crystals, many of up to 1 cm tall. It is magnificent and worthy of any top museum anywhere in the world. The specimen is accompanied by a Maurice J.E. Grigg (died 1995) of Indian Queens (Cornwall) label, giving the specific location of C2 Stope, 11 - 15 Levels Decline Area in Wheal Jane. Maurice Grigg's collection was renowned for its quality, particularly of specimens discovered in Cornwall during his lifetime. This remarkable specimen was not from the original, late 19th century, discovery at Wheal Jane, but from a find during the late 1980s. With no exaggeration, we may never see a specimen from Wheal Jane like this again, it is so sensational.