Bismuth from Expansion Shaft, Missouri, USA

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This is an exceptionally rich thumbnail specimen of metallic Native Bismuth from the famous Carrock mine in the Caldbeck Fells, Cumbria which is also the only high temperature tin-tungsten deposit in England outside of Cornwall and Devon. The bright, silvery metallic Native Bismuth makes up over 60% of the specimen, providing the specimen with its dense feel. The Native Bismuth is crystallized, with lovely growth surfaces on display, although overall its form is rather irregular where it is intergrown with minor Scheelite (a single fragmentary crystal) and a black, pitch-like mineral, possibly Wolframite. Under magnification the Native Bismuth is seen to have complex intergrowths with acicular to bladed crystals of Bismuthinite. A complex and fascinating Carrock mine thumbnail. Ex J.B. Burton collection.