Whewellite with Ankerite, Pyrite

specimen number:
1052187

location:
Sylvester Mine, Urbeis, Selestat-Erstein, Bas-Rhin, Grand Est, France

description:
This specimen features colorless crystalline whewellite perched on matrix alongside ankerite and pyrite, showcasing the distinctive crystal forms and delicate transparency of this rare calcium oxalate mineral. Whewellite is prized by collectors for its unusual composition and well formed crystals, which are uncommon in classic European localities. The piece comes from the Sylvester Mine in Alsace, France, a historic mining district active during the 19th and early 20th centuries, known for its complex polymetallic veins producing a range of lead, copper, and iron minerals. This specimen is preserved with an antique label, as shown at the end of the video, dating it to the early 20th century, providing provenance and a tangible connection to the golden age of European mineral collecting. A classic and historically significant example, it is an excellent addition for collectors of rare and historic minerals.

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