Blue Hemimorphite (RARE - classic locale)

Item Description

MINDAT does not list anhydrite from the historic lead-zinc mines at Mezica. It does list hemimorphite, but there are no photos in the Mezica gallery. This lustrous, translucent light ice-blue blocky piece is composed of densely packed sparkly microcrystalline lathes. It has a heavier density than anhydrite would, 2.98 vs 3.47 and is also harder. A dental tool will scratch it, with some difficulty. Hemimorphite hardness is 4.5 - 5, with anhydrite being 3 - 3.5, similar to calcite. We believe the piece to be VERY RARE for Mezica hemimorphite. The John Trainer label, a New York financier and mineral dealer, probably dates from the 1920s until he passed away in 1953. See the Minerlogical Record Biographical Archive. Comes with a Hugh Ford label dating from 1946-57. From an East Coast collection.