Chalcocite (rare from Tsumeb)

Item Description

Sulfides are not terribly common from Tsumeb, and good crystallized examples of Chalcocite are notably hard to find. Most of the Chalcocites I've seen from this famed locale are either micro specimens, or they're rather "lumpy" and crude, but THIS piece is a lovely thumbnail featuring excellent, highly lustrous, dark silvery-grey, heavily striated crystals, free of matrix. The crystals have brilliant metallic faces, and look great under magnification. If you collect thumbnails, sulfides or minerals from Tsumeb, this is a rare chance to pick up something that is rarely seen for sale in any format. I can't get over the high luster on the crystals, better than almost anything I've seen from the locality. From the collection of William ("Bill") (1927-2006) and Anne (1928-2021) Cook of Cleveland, Ohio (#12706-b). 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, and Anne was inducted into the mi The rare barium lithium beryllium phosphate Wilancookite was named in their honor in 2015.