Clinoclase with Liroconite

Unknown Owner

'Beetle ore', an extremely rare sectile, scaly, rounded, form of the rare copper arsenate Clinoclase with an amazing deep indigo blue is one of the most sought after minerals from Cornwall. Most specimens date to the very latest years of the 18th century and early 19th century and came from one small cluster of mines around the village of St. Day, all of which were incorporated into the expanding Wheal Gorland by about 1810. Specimens like this have passed through countless historic collections along the way to this point. This beautiful large thumbnail specimen features a 1.7 x 1.3 cm Clinoclase crystal, described as an 'acorn' attached to a similarly sized piece of Clinoclase-Liroconite impregnated gossan. The Clinoclase crystal is well formed, and very glossy, but displaying the amazing translucency of the 'scales' just like some exotic beetle carapaces. Ex Malcolm Southwood collection, Ex Ian Acworth collection (no. CW375) and ex Cowan collection. Prior to these it turned up in a craft shop in Redruth! A gorgeous thumbnail.