Cerussite (circa 1920s)

Item Description

This miniature was originally in the significant and historical collection of Wilhelm Kegel, Director of Mining Operations at Tsumeb from 1924 to 1933 (Dr. Pohl purchased his collection, or a portion of it rather, at some time in the 1990s). Light tan and translucent, these equant crystals are complex and range up to 1.6 cm across. Some have a ghostly white color, and these could be partly altered to the mineral hydrocerussite. Being both large and small, the complementary crystals form a balanced cluster that presents nicely on the matrix. When you think about it, so much attention is given to twinned habits of Cerussite that other habits, attractive in their own way, are often given short shrift. Strong, cream-colored fluorescence. Considering the historic nature, as well as the less-common habit of this piece, I would rate it highly as a Tsumeb oddity.