Bournonite on Siderite

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This small miniature specimen is an older German classic. Georg mine was an ancient iron mine at Willroth in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany but continued in operation until the 1960s. Within it Sideritic iron carbonate-bearing veins hosted small quantities of lead-zinc-copper sulphosalt minerals, including really well-formed Bournonite crystals. Unlike many other classic world Bournonite occurrences the crystals at Georg mine tend not to be twinned as 'cog-wheels' but individual well-formed chunky blades. These are also extremely glossy and when sat on the beige coloured Siderite are highly distinctive. This nice smaller specimen features several Bournonite crystals, the largest reaching about 8 mm in length. There is some damage to several of the crystals as well as fractured bases where crystals once stood, but this is a rarity and German classic, and still presents remarkably well. Ex David Hardman Collection.