Metatorbernite (excellent crystals)

Item Description

Back in the 1960s-1970s, the greatest specimens of what we now refer to as Metatorbernite (it was only called Torbernite back in the day) were coming out of the central African copper belt mines. For display collectors, these amazing specimens are some of the most desirable examples from any locality in the area, and only a handful of good pockets were ever found. These are now modern classics and seldom seen in today's market. This rich, small cabinet specimen features beautiful rich green colored clusters of Metatorbernite beautifully sitting on the underlying matrix. The largest cluster of crystals measures 1.5 cm across, and interestingly, the habit of the crystals is not the wafer-thin style that we're used to seeing, as these are a bit thicker are more robust. No major damage to the main groups of crystals, though there is minor roughness around the periphery where the piece separated from the pocket wall. Overall, it's a showy and fine quality example of this now rare material. I do not believe any great pockets have been found since the 1980s, or earlier. The mine is officially closed to mass production, although small scale artisanal mining and collecting proceeds. Valued at $5,000 retail.