Bournonite with Quartz
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Crystal ClassicsFeatured
Tucson, Arizona, USAHerodsfoot mine was very much the first great producer of Bournonite, having provided the world's most dramatic and well-crystallized specimens from the late 1850s until 1870. It remained the premier locality for over 130 years, eventually being rivalled and surpassed by finds in China and Bolivia during the early 21st century. However, to most collectors, to own a fine Herodsfoot mine Bournonite is a badge of honour. This small cabinet specimen from Herodsfoot mine is richly invested with large Bournonite crystals of the iconic 'cogwheel' form. This is demonstrated by its density, created by the thick heavy dark grey bladed crystals. The Bournonite crystals are very large: several reaching 2.5 cm in length, with one composite crystal over 3 cm across. They are thick too, with some reaching 7 mm wide. They all present a superb bluish iridescent historic patina. The matrix is the classic Herodsfoot Quartz-Siderite veinstone with the well-crystallized sparry Quartz shot through with blades of Bournonite. Many fractured unterminated bladed Bournonite crystals are exposed in the base of the specimen with the upper surfaces richly displaying excellent freestanding terminated crystals where they have clearly developed into a cavity along with Quartz crystals. A couple of broken crystal surfaces can be seen on the upper edges of the specimen, but these are alongside excellent terminated crystals. A very rich and fine historic Bournonite from this most famous of occurrences. Ex Mike Brooke collection.
Product details
Species
SizeSmall Cabinet
Dimensions7.4 x 5.8 x 5.0 cm
Listed on12/02/2024
Locality
SKUCC32794
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Mineral guide
Learn about Bournonite
steel-gray to black sulfosalt famed for cogwheel twinning and metallic luster; prized by collectors for iconic gears and historic localities.
Regional guide
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