Malachite on Azurite with Calcite

Item Description

Originally in the significant and historical collection of F. Wilhelm Kegel, Director of Mining Operations at Tsumeb from 1924 to 1933, this small-cabinet piece is classic for the era and is another superb example of the power of combinations of species at Tsumeb. These bladed Azurites have good form, and much of the surface has been pseudomorphed into complex, bright green Malachite (sparkly!). Where exposed, you can see the intense blue coloration and luster of the Azurite below. The ring of white crystals, to 8 mm, adds great visual interest. First thought to be Cerussites, the bright orange fluorescence says they are definitely Calcites. The contrasts in color and form are attractive, and the complex multi-staged genesis of this piece has so much mineralogical interest. The exceptional provenance, as well as the typical 'look' of specimens from this early era, make this old-timer worthwhile and desirable. Dr. Pohl purchased a group of minerals all from the Kegel collection, from a German dealer in the 1990s (several dozen pieces with sequential numbering we have seen in this collection, all from the same purchase with handwritten notes), as a lot (handwritten label and her catalog attest to this, and others are well documented from this purchase in the collection as well). A beautiful, elegant, vertical specimen.