Pyromorphite

Fantastic Pyromorphite var. Arsenian ex. Mushlitz Collection from Bunker Hill Mine, Idaho, USA

A stunning, absolutely TOP level competitive-miniature example of the most famous and most rare style of pyromorphite from Bunker Hill. These are unique, and absolutely unequaled around the world from anywhere. These round, wet-looking, fiery-red-orange bubbly pyromorphites were only found one time, in the early 1990s, in a single zone of the mine, and this is the absolute best of the best quality for color and luster from the find.

It is complete 360 degrees with no damage of note (only a few very tiny rubs can be noticed on close exam only and can be hidden with careful cleaning or mineral oil, but are trivial). The zone was actually within old tunnels dug originally in the 1890s-1910 era of this mine as a silver producer, and only later accessed by the vertical Jersey vein to go up vertically about 110 feet above the entry level of modern operations (I once had the privilege of climbing the ladder up there in the mine and seeing the old, strripped out zone - it is a miracle, needle in a haystack really, that this was found in later mining as they prospected for elevated zinc trends for modern mining assessments!).

As American classics go, these are distinct and historic. For worldwide collectors, they also are uniquely beautiful and as they came out in the 1990s, few got overseas of any quality. Purchased when they came out in the 1990s, this has since been in the collection of our old friend and early internet customer, Dick Mushlitz.

A competition level top full miniature.

Location: From Bunker Hill Mine, Kellogg, Shoshone County, Idaho, USA

Measures: 5,0 x 3,5 x 2,0 cm in total size.

And many thanks to Laszlo Kupi from Finemineralphotography for this fantastic shot! @finemineralphotography