KEYITE with Zincolivenite and Tennantite - image 1

KEYITE with Zincolivenite and Tennantite

Unknown Owner
There is no escaping how small this specimen is, but it is Keyite - a complex hydrated copper zinc cadmium arsenate - from the Type Locality at Tsumeb mine. This exceptionally rare species has only been reported from two occurrences worldwide, and only Tsumeb mine has produced 'substantial' crystals. Specimens are so rarely seen available, that even ones of this size are considered significant. A tiny piece of metallic Tennantite matrix is coated (along a fracture surface) with green Zincolivenite and glassy pale blue-green Keyite microcrystals. There are several Keyite crystals, shaped like sharp needle-tips, and reaching up to 0.2 mm in length. The green Zincolivenite is not well-crystallized. A really fine specimen of this super-rare species. Ex Erwin Kainer collection with older collection details attached to the plastic box indicating that it was originally acquired in 1981.

Product details

SizeThumbnail
Dimensions0.4 x 0.4 x 0.4 cm
Added on04/30/2025

Known provenance

DateCollectorAcquisition price
Unknown Owner$120.00
Crystal ClassicsNot disclosed