Spangolite, Linarite, Brochantite, and Fluorite (fl), on Quartz

Item Description

From the famous Blanchard Mine in New Mexico, this is an excellent combination piece featuring a suite of fine, copper sulfate minerals on Fluorite and Quartz. Leading the way are numerous clusters of 1-2 mm, deep green, prismatic crystals of Spangolite, and seldom do you find good quality Spangolites from any locality. Integral to these important associations are a 7 mm pocket of intense blue Linarite (a world class discovery of Linarite was made at the Blanchard in 1980), and numerous 3 mm, stellate sprays of green, needle-like Brochantite. All of these display very attractively on a layer of clear, frosted, highly fluorescent Fluorites, themselves on a layer of crystalline Quartz. Collecting from the highly silicified limestones that are the host rock here is no easy task, so good specimens such as this small cabinet piece are cherished. As an interesting aside, just 8 1/2 miles to the south west, over a few mountains and down into the White Sands Missile range that is part of the Rio Grande Rift, is the Trinity Site. Recently deaccessed from the Tim Sherburn collection.