Bournonite (old classic) Robertson Coll.

Item Description

Bournonite is a highly desirable and classic accessory species from this famous and ancient German iron mine, that closed in 1965. This is an impressive and sculptural specimen of solid sub-metallic, moderately lustrous bournonite. The sharp crystals on the top are dominated by the impressive, large, 5.0 cm doubly terminated crystal. The noted periphery wear is minor considering the age of this very fine old-timer. Ex Kay Robertson Collection # 4099 and acquired from Al McGuinness in the mid-1960s. Kay is a prominent California collector, who specialized in European classics (see the article in the March-April, 2007 Mineralogical Record and the 50+ page article in the German Magazine "Mineralien Welt" November-December 2017). Despite the new bournonites coming from China, these old European ones are still greatly prized! This would almost certainly date to the late 1800s and a piece with crystals of such size and sharpness are rare, indeed, on the market.