Liroconite

Liroconite specimens are always immensely popular, but due to their rarity are often way beyond the means of most collectors. The beauty of Liroconite is multifaceted: its extreme rarity is the first factor - found in rich material in only one small area in Cornwall; its beautiful intense blue colour; its wonderful sharp, wedge-shaped, or shark's fin-like crystals. This lovely miniature specimen from David Hardman's collection (no. 2274) is extremely rich in intensely coloured Liroconite of the finest blue colour, but despite being crystallized it lacks free-standing crystals, hence why it is cheaper. Nevertheless, Liroconite is so rare, and it is extremely visible on this piece that this presents a great opportunity to acquire a true British classic. Most great Liroconite specimens were extracted from a small group of mines (most of which later merged) in the vicinity of the village of St Day during the late 1700s and early 1800s, but some specimens were found on the dumps of Wheal Gorland during the 1960s and 1970s. We don't know the full history of this piece but it seems probable that it was one found during reworking of the dumps.

Unknown Owner

Product details

Species

Liroconite

SizeMiniature

Dimensions3.0 x 2.6 x 1.7 cm

Locality

UK, England, Wheal Gorland

Added on06/08/2025

Comments

Known provenance

2025/11