Mendipite (TYPE LOCALITY) (fl), with Calcite (fl)

Item Description

From the TYPE LOCALITY in the Mendip Hills of Somerset, England, Mendipite is an extremely rare and seldom seen Pb-oxyhalide. Amazingly, when found, specimens such as this excellent small cabinet piece can actually have a substantial amount of Mendipite. Not at all what you would expect for something so rare. Here, seen in its classic, columnar habit, the Mendipite looks for all the world like a greyish-rose, frozen waterfall that 'cascades' an impressive 4.5 cm down the presentation side. Associated are black crystals of Sphalerite, a pearlescent and crystalline white mineral (earlier Mendipite?), and a thin white layer (Calcite or Hydrocerussite or both) under the Mendipite that fluoresces a brilliant white. All are on a matte black, Pyrolusite matrix. And if all that wasn't enough, the Mendipite appears to have an olive-green fluorescence, which is virtually unheard of. First-rate for this rare species, this small cabinet specimen is also noteworthy for the associations. Recently deaccessed from the Tim Sherburn collection. This is a large, significantly rich specimen. Valued $750-1000