Malachite with Cerussite

specimen number:
1052451

location:
Tsumeb Mine, Otjikoto, Namibia

description:
Green acicular crystallized malachite very rich across the front of matrix with small crystals of cerussite. This is in good condition. The specimen comes with an antique label and dates to the early 20th century, during the early days of this famous locality. The label is shown at the end of the video.

The Tsumeb Mine in Namibia is one of the most famous mineral localities in the world, with mining beginning in the early 20th century and continuing for many decades. The deposit is a complex pipe like ore body hosted in dolomitic limestone, rich in copper, lead, and zinc, and known for producing an extraordinary range of secondary minerals in its oxidized zones. Among these, malachite and cerussite are especially notable, with malachite occurring as bright green botryoidal masses and fibrous aggregates, and cerussite forming well developed crystals often showing twinning and high luster. Many of the finest specimens of these minerals were recovered during the early to mid 20th century, particularly from the upper oxidized levels of the mine, and are now considered classic and relatively old material. Specimens from this period are highly valued by collectors for their quality, provenance, and association with one of the most important mineral deposits ever worked.

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