Cerussite with Malachite

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This beautiful large thumbnail to toenail-sized specimen is one of the ultimate classics from the world-famous Tsumeb mine in Namibia. The reason for its significance is several fold. Firstly, the Cerussite (lead carbonate) is exceptionally gemmy and transparent, but that alone does not make a specimen great. Secondly, the Cerussite crystals display perfection in crystal form, with fantastic facet-like faces, but with twinning too. Finally, the association with Malachite is rare at Tsumeb, and when the Cerussite is so optically perfect the green colour of the Malachite projects through the Cerussite to produce an enchanting colour. As the Cerussite has grown over the radiating botryoidal sprays of Malachite the copper mineral has also been incorporated into the Cerussite as green inclusions. Certainly one for the advanced Tsumeb collector, looking for the pinnacle of rare beauties.