Mimetite & Smithsonite (rare OLD Tsumeb) 19th century

Item Description

Outstanding, historically important, RARE OLD mimetite and smithsonite combination from the famed Tsumeb Mine, considered by many to be the world's greatest mineral locality. The sculptural small cabinet 360-degree rounded knob is richly sprinkled on all sides with classic, lustrous, gemmy/translucent, honey-yellow, hexagonal mimetite barrels, to 9 mm. The matrix knob is totally covered with tiny, translucent, mint-green, rice-grain, cuprian smithsonite crystals. The combination is remarkable. Complete all-around and essentially pristine, with only a few broken mimetites, for all the crystal density and age. Exceptional for such an old piece. The famous "green hill" was discovered in 1893. Preliminary exploration work was undertaken between 1893 and 1900, when the company sent a well-equipped mining expedition. The first high grade ore was shipped in 1907, after a railroad and other needed infrastructure were installed. See the 1977 Mineralogical Record Tsumeb! Special Issue, Vol 8, No. 3. This superb and rare old-timer comes from a 19th century Zurich collection, dating the piece to 1893 to 1900. Exceptional OLD mimetite and smithsonite from Tsumeb! Value???