Chalcophyllite

Unknown Owner

This fine miniature Chalcophyllite specimen is deceptively rich. It consists of very large platy Chalcophyllite crystals tightly aggregated in a fan-like structure with partial alteration to Chrysocolla. Its history is nice, coming with an old French label from the collection of Louis Desbuissons (1827-1908) who records obtaining it from "Rimington". Col. John Wilson Rimington (1832-1909) was a wealthy landed British collector who spent heavily on minerals, but he auctioned part of his fine collection (reputedly some of the better specimens) in London in 1891. This is likely when Desbuisson acquired it. Rimington's distinctive number label is still attached to the specimen. Desbuisson recorded its locality simply as Cornwall ("Cornouailles") and one could debate the possible mine from which it came. The most likely candidate based on its history and the size of the crystals is Wheal Gorland, but this is tentative.