Pyromorphite

specimen number:
2102297

location:
9 level, Jersey Vein, Bunker Hill Mine, Kellogg, Idaho, USA

description:

Very fine lustrous yellow green prismatic crystals of pyromorphite measuring to almost 1.5 cm in size across matrix. Very minimal micro-damage present, this attractive piece is in good condition. This would have been collected in the early 1980s.

The Bunker Hill Mine, located in the Coeur d'Alene district of Kellogg, Idaho, is an iconic American lead-silver-zinc producer. Geologically, the mine exploited massive sulfide veins and replacement bodies hosted within the Precambrian Belt Supergroup quartzites and argillites. The 9 Level of the Jersey Vein became legendary in the mineralogical community for its spectacular oxidation zone, which hosted some of the finest pyromorphite specimens ever discovered. This specific area produced lustrous, barrel-shaped crystals in a range of vibrant colors from bright lime-green to deep orange-yellow, often occurring in large, hollow-cast formations. Historically, the Bunker Hill Mine began operations in 1885 and grew into one of the largest underground mines in the world, operating nearly continuously for almost a century. While the main mine suffered a major closure in 1981 due to economic and environmental factors, the 9 Level remains a focal point of historical mineral collecting, having set the world standard for pyromorphite crystal quality during the height of its production in the mid-20th century.

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