Bournonite

Item Description

There are a few localities on Earth that have produced world-class Bournonite crystals. The old classics from the Herodsfoot Mine in Cornwall are considered the best from any locality in Europe, and more modern discoveries from the Machacamarca District in Bolivia certainly are in the top ranks, but the Yaogangxian Mine in China are certainly the finest contemporary Bournonites on the market. The size, quality and superb crystallization of the best Yaogangxian specimens is exemplary. This piece is a nice thumbnail sized example featuring a silvery metallic prismatic crystal, free of matrix. A few sides are contacted, so the piece is not complete all around, but there are several excellent, smooth, well-formed faces with high splendent luster. There are even some attractive thin modifying faces on the termination that give the piece a little extra character.
From the collection of William ("Bill") (1927-2006) and Anne (1928-2021) Cook of Cleveland, Ohio (#12,131). This husband and wife duo were actively involved in the mineral world for many decades. Bill was a PhD geologist, and Anne was a mathematician, and they both were very serious mineral collectors. Bill served for many years as adjunct curator of mineralogy at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, and Anne was inducted into the Micromounters' Hall of Fame on October 12, 2019. Both Bill and Anne, at various times, served as president both of the Mineralogical Society of Cleveland and of the Micromineral Society of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. The rare barium lithium beryllium phosphate Wilancookite was named in their honor in 2015.