Tarbuttite (excellent color)

Item Description

The Skorpion Mine in Namibia was started in 2000 as a major zinc ore producer, but it also is the source of some attractive zinc-bearing species such as Tarbuttite. Typically this species is not terribly attractive, as the crystals are often white / colorless, but the specimens from this locality have a gorgeous soft green hue. Now it should be noted that I have seen some of these specimens labeled as being pseudomorphs of Apatite replacing Tarbuttite, but I cannot say if that is the case with this piece. With that said, this small cabinet is filled with attractive, sharp, well-formed thin crystals of Tarbuttite measuring up to 1.6 cm on a thin layer of matrix. The piece is in excellent shape with no major damage on the top / display side, only a few minor blemishes. Valued in the inventory at $1,000.