Parahopeite pseudomorph after Hopeite (rare classic material)

Item Description

An impressive and very hard to find pseudomorph of the rare hydrated zinc phosphate species Parahopeite pseudomorphing/replacing Hopeite (which is another hydrated zinc phosphate) from the Kabwe Mine (Broken Hill Mine) in Zambia. The color of the Parahopeite ranges from an orange-brown (caused by some sort of oxidation) to a creamy white and then into a gorgeous sea-foam green underneath (which is likely Smithsonite). Upon close examination, we found some tiny yellow spots on the specimen which could be Pyromorphite, along with a couple of bright greenish-blue colored areas that are possibly Zincolibethenite. It should be noted that both Parahopeite and Hopeite are identical chemically, they are only differentiated by the fact that Parahopeite is triclinic in its crystal habit, and Hopeite is Orthorhombic. For reference, the Kabwe Mine is the type locality for Parahopeite. These pseudomorphs are very rare to find on the market, and this piece was mine circa 1960s-1970s, and will never be mined again. Valued $4,000.
Ex Brian Kosnar Collection, originally from the collection of Keith Hammond.