Pyrolusite
specimen number:
2262107
location:
Leadville, Colorado, USA
description: Leadville, Colorado, situated at an elevation of over 10,000 feet in the Mosquito Range, is one of the most storied mining districts in North America. Geologically, the area is characterized by the Leadville Limestone, a Mississippian-aged formation that underwent extensive hydrothermal replacement to form massive deposits of silver, lead, and zinc sulfides. Historically, mining and quarrying activities began in 1860 with the discovery of placer gold in California Gulch, but the district truly exploded in the late 1870s when the "Silver Boom" transformed the camp into a major industrial center. Following the silver crash of 1893, the district adapted by focusing on other metals, most notably molybdenum at the nearby Climax Mine, which began operations in 1918 and became the world's largest source of the metal. While many of the historic silver and lead shafts closed by the mid-20th century, the Climax Mine has seen periods of closure and reopening, including active operations continuing through 2026. The district remains a critical case study for complex ore deposition and the long-term economic resilience of high-altitude mining communities.
Crystallized pyrolusite quite rich across the top of a hematite matrix. Interesting locality example for the species.
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