Mottramite pseudomorph after Wulfenite

Item Description

Tsumeb was not only a major specimen producing mine, but it was also a great source of unique and beautiful pseudomorphs. This piece is a wonderful toenail sized specimen featuring dark green Mottramite which has replaced thin square blades of Wulfenite measuring up to 1.3 cm on edge. Associated white rhombs of Calcite makes for a nice touch. A small amount of roughness can be seen, but the piece is in good condition overall. A lovely piece of this attractive classic material.
From the synthetic mineral suite of William ("Bill") (1927-2006) and Anne (1928-2021) Cook of Cleveland, Ohio (#4371). This husband and wife duo were actively involved in the mineral world for many decades. Bill was a PhD geologist, and Anne was a mathematician, and they both were very serious mineral collectors. Bill served for many years as adjunct curator of mineralogy at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, and Anne was inducted into the Micromounters' Hall of Fame on October 12, 2019. Both Bill and Anne, at various times, served as president both of the Mineralogical Society of Cleveland and of the Micromineral Society of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. The rare barium lithium beryllium phosphate Wilancookite was named in their honor in 2015.