Wulfenite with Mimetite

specimen number:
2062623

location:
Rowley Mine, Maricopa Co., Arizona, USA

description:
Thin platy gemmy orange crystals of wulfenite to 0.7 cm in size standing up nicely from matrix with brilliant orange micro crystals of mimetite scattered throughout. This is in good condition. The specimen comes with a previous label from the collection of Ray DeMark.

Discovered in 1899 by Jack Rowley within the Painted Rock Mining District of Maricopa County, Arizona, the Rowley Mine initially operated intermittently for copper, gold, and lead during the early 20th century. Geologically, the site is situated in an extensional Basin and Range tectonic setting where fault zones cut through Tertiary volcanic rocks and older crystalline basements. Hydrothermal activity and subsequent supergene oxidation of these structures created extensive quartz and barite veins enriched in metal sulfides. Groundwater circulation later weathered these zones, producing an abundance of colorful secondary minerals that made the locality world-famous among collectors for its exceptional crystal specimens.

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