Ludlockite - significant example from type find

Item Description

Chatoyant burnt-orange hair-like crystal tufts of ludlockite form an aesthetic, sculptural and rich solid thumbnail from the famed Tsumeb Mine. Ludlockite, a complex Pb-Fe-arsenate is one of the many signature rarities and Type Locality from Tsumeb. Ludlockite was approved in 1970. This rich example came from a single grapefruit-sized pocket in the lower Germanium level of Tsumeb in 1969, as obvious from its style. Brought out of the mining town by Ludlow Smith III, whose partner was Charles “Charlie” Locke Key (hence the name Lud-Lock-ite). A fine and rich, competitive quality and large thumbnail example of the rare species and renowned locale. Such pieces, if and when they turn up, are often priced by a certain Tsumeb specialist dealer at shows in the 2500-4500 GBP range. More often, they can be found as old collections recycle, such as we auction here, at more reasonable prices. Such specimens today tend to be in only a few old collections, and rarely come back to market.