Calomel

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Calomel is a rare mercury chloride mineral which was first discovered at the mercury mines at Landsberg (Moschellandsberg) in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. This miniature specimen from Landsberg is extremely rich in Calomel crystals. Two cavities, one at either end are richly lined with Calomel crystals. One cavity measures approximately 1.5 x 1 cm, the other, 1 x 0.8 cm. The individual crystals reach 2 mm in length and display very obvious faces, although in slightly unusual forms, perhaps reflecting some cleavage surfaces. Under UV light (shown at the end of the video) the Calomel fluoresces bright orange revealing how extensive and rich it is on this specimen. In normal light a pale green powdery substance occurs associated with the Calomel. It is unclear what this is but it may well be an even more exotic secondary mercury species. It certainly looks interesting. An extremely rich, crystallized specimen of Calomel from the Type Locality.