Name: MELANOTEKITE in Leadhillite
Brand: Crystal Classics
Price: 1550 USD
Availability: InStock

Updated 5d ago

MELANOTEKITE in Leadhillite

A classic combination of two rare species from the Tsumeb mine in Namibia. A miniature-sized cleavage fragment from a larger Leadhillite crystal is noteworthy enough, but within it are patches of dark brown Melanotekite (an exceptionally rare lead iron silicate) and pale yellow Mimetite. Many microscopic circular orange-brown inclusions are seen within the Leadhillite, and might also be Melanotekite but the main Melanotekite crystals are darker brown, more coarsely crystallized (still mm scale) and sometimes aggregates in lines or veinlets possibly along cleavage surfaces. There are also several pale lemon yellow Mimetite crystals scattered over and embedded in the Leadhillite. The Leadhillite, a lead sulphate carbonate hydroxide, measures 3.8 x 1.8 x 1.0 cm and is translucent silver-grey with a brilliant reflective lustre on its cleavage surfaces. The Melanotekite has been confirmed by EDS (Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy) at the Royal Ontario Museum, whose Study Card accompanies this specimen. An excellent specimen of these two very rare species from Tsumeb. Please note: this specimen has been repaired. Sometime in its history the Leadhillite has been fractured across its width and was glued back together. In our prep-lab we have removed the excess glue, which was visible, rendering the repair now invisible, although the fracture plane is, of course, evident. This remains a superb specimen, both of Leadhillite and Melanotekite, but more importantly has analytical documentation confirming the identification of Melanotekite.

$1,550.00