Linarite, Brochantite, Cerussite on Galena ex Cowan

Item Description

This fascinating combo specimen features a core of glittery and gemmy, drusy quartz upon which are emplaced on what used to be galena crystals up to 2.5 cm across - but, they are now pseudomorphed (replaced) by gemmy, emerald green brochantite along with a coating of neon blue linarite. For good measure the is also a pod of snow white cerussite, making it very colorful! In fact, it is one of my favorite miniatures I have seen from the locale, as it has a really sharp style, whereas most are rather lumpy. Collected by noted NM field collector , Chris Cowan, and from his collection (with label). What a complicated piece of mineralogy here, showing changing chemistry as the pocket formed and the galena was replaced with other minerals, for a beautiful result (sorry, but the Bingham galenas are notoriously ugly, so it was not a great loss to the galena world to have one alter to beautiful colors!). We valued this highly in a purchase of minerals deaccessioned from the Cowan collection,long ago