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Whewellite (twinned) on Dolomite, Calcite & Chalcopyrite
Shaft 371 in Hartenstein, Germany is known for its great specimens of the rare calcium oxalate mineral whewellite, and this combination piece is no exception. They are so rare, and so seldom seen, that several times in my years as a dealer I have seen these mislabelled as a calcite twin! The crystal has the first look of a calcite twin, but the luster of a cerussite and the glassy refraction of a Mexican danburite, if we can try to describe the beauty in some kind of comparative terms. It is an exceedingly rare matrix example of a gemmy twinned crystal of this rare species. This attractive and distinctive small cabinet combination specimen from this locality features a single, very gemmy and glistening, almost heart-shaped twin of whewellite a naturally occurring calcium oxalate hydrate. The crystals measures 1.8 cm in length and is laying flat on a plate of strongly curved, elongate and intergrown, ivory colored dolomite crystals 0.5 to 1.5 cm. There are a few sheaves of very pale pink (possibly manganoan) calcite from 1.5 to 3 cm long near one edge of the piece, on the dolomite. Slightly iridescent, metallic brassy yellow to orange to greenish chalcopyrite from 1 to 3.5 mm are isolated and sprinkled lightly on the dolomite as well. A great whewellite combination pice from this important locality, with a well displayed central crystal. We believe that Mike Scott purchased this in 2004-2005 distribution of the old collection of Stuttgart, Germany-based collector Rolf Wein, as it seems I saw this way back then, and many classic European specimens in the Scott collection do make a note of that. In any case, this find supposedly dates to the 1970s. Michael "Scotty" Scott (1945-2025) was an American entrepreneur who was the first CEO of Apple Computer from February 1977 to March 1981. We are truly honored to release a small selection of minerals from the estate of our friend and customer. He was a gem collector, science supporter, donor, and mineral collector. The minerals lavinskyite and scottyite were first found on the same specimen, and after lavinskyite was identified, scottyite was then named in his honor for his long-term contributions to research and science through the same laboratory that we also helped support (the NASA-affiliated Bob Downs lab and the systematic mineralogy project, RRUFF, at the University of Arizona). It was a great privilege to receive a limited amount of minerals from his estate to return back to the mineral collecting community. Mike was a voracious collector of and museum exhibitor of gemstones; but he also built a companion collection of interesting and rare mineral specimens for his own enjoyment, although they were seldom exhibited outside his home.
Unknown Owner
Product details
Species
SizeSmall Cabinet
Dimensions9.5 x 7.4 x 2.8 cm
Locality
Added on09/26/2025
Known provenance
2025/09
Unknown
$3,750.00—Species and Locality Wiki Pages
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