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Leiteite (very rare)
- Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region, Namibia (Type Locality)
- Thumbnail, 2.0 x 0.6 x 0.2 cm
- Start Time: 05/04/2017 6:30:00 pm (CDT)
- End Time: 05/16/2017 6:34:09 pm (CDT)
- Auction Closed
Item Description
A hard to find crystallized specimen of the VERY rare zinc arsenate, Leitite from the type locality, the famous Tsumeb Mine. This mineral is only found in a few places in the world, most famously from Tsumeb. This piece features typical flattened, prismatic monoclinic form with almost a semi-layered appearance and beautiful gemmy colorless interior. I can see a TINY bit of brozne-orange colored Ludlucokite along the edge, but it's very very small. This species is fairly new in the mineral world as it was described in 1977, well into the life of the Tsumeb mine. I'm sure that people probably mistook it for a common species like Adamite back in the day. The piece was named after Luis Antonio Bravo Teixeira-Leite, who first noted the material. If you collect rarities, Tsumeb minerals or even worldwide arsenates, don't miss out on this one as it is well crystallized and nearly impossible to obtain in today's market.