Childrenite (ex Francis, Dearborn and Hansen)

Item Description

A gorgeous and historic specimen of Childrenite from the type locality in England! Childrenite is a fairly well known phosphate, and is the iron analogue of Eosphorite which was named in 1823 by Henry J. Brooke in honor of John George Children, an English chemist, mineralogist, and zoologist, but more importantly, the keeper of minerals at the British Museum of Natural History. The English Childrenites remain as some of the most iconic and beautiful examples of the species extant. This piece hosts a couple of HIGHLY lustrous, sharp, gemmy, rich honey-brown colored orthorhombic crystals of Childrenite on classic copper ore matrix. The largest crystal measures 5 mm. I don't know for sure if this piece is from the famous George & Charlotte Mine which is the classic location for the finest Childrenite found in the UK, but Tavistock is good enough. The piece comes with a few labels, and was originally in the collection of Carl Francis (former Harvard curator) and Grace Dearborn, and passed through the hands of dealer Gary Hansen. I can't begin to think about the value of such a wonderful historic old Cornish specimen with such fine quality crystals and excellent provenance.