Libethenite

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This large miniature of nicely crystallised Libethenite on a cellular iron-rich covering over Killas is from South Wheal Frances, part of the Basset Mines at Carnkie, to the south of Carn Brea and within the parish of Illogan. If you are not so familiar with this area, Illogan lies about midway between Camborne and Redruth and contains numerous famous mines. South Wheal Frances was one of my own old stomping grounds while studying at Camborne and it was always a joy to to an evening walk, look around the wonderful old mine buildings and do a little collecting. Dark bottle green Libethenite crystals of up to 1 mm are quite richly scattered over the almost black, iron encrusted surface. Libethenite is a copper phosphate hydroxide and although never plentiful at this locality, is amongst the best of the thirteen mineral species recorded from here.