Malachite (fibrous)

Item Description

Tsumeb is undoubtedly the most significant and prolific locality in the history of mineral collecting. This mine produced not only a large number of species (297 reported minerals on mindat.org as of the time of this posting), but it's the type locality for a whopping 72 species! Additionally, Tsumeb has the distinction of producing many "best in the world" examples of both common and rare minerals alike. Even well known secondary minerals like Malachite are elevated from Tsumeb. This attractive small cabinet specimen features dozens if not hundreds of superb quality, highly lustrous (vitreous), thin, prismatic "needles" of Malachite intergrown to create gorgeous "sheaf"-like groups sitting on minor matrix. Individual crystals are difficult to isolate, but I can measure them up to 2.1 cm long. The color is a dark forest green in reflected light, but when a bit of a transmitted light, these "needles" glow with an intense electric emerald green hue that reminds me of a Atacamite. VERY little damage. It's a very eye-catching display specimen and has almost no damage, even when viewed up close. The piece comes with a label originally valued at $700, but I could easily see a piece of this size and quality priced over $1,000 retail these days. BETTER in person, this piece would make a fine addition to any Tsumeb suite or a collection of secondary ore minerals.