Witherite (fine classic material)

Item Description

A fine quality and classic example of the famous, superb Witherites from the Minerva No. 1 Mine in Southern Illinois. Witherite is barium carbonate species, and not terribly rare, but there are only a few world localities that produce fine quality crystals. The species was discovered over 200 years ago, and the type locality at Brownley Hill Mine, England along with other mines in Cumbria have produced some of the most distinctive and classic specimens around. Along with the English pieces, the specimens from the Minerva No. 1 Mine in Illinois are among the best ever found. This particular specimen features good sized, sharp, well-formed, lustrous, pseudo-hexagonal (orthorhombic), soft yellow color, translucent crystal groups of Witherite with a bit of matrix. The largest crystal group measures XXXXXXX cm. The piece is in great shape, with no major damage that I can see. The size, quality and relative obscurity on the market today make this a very worthwhile specimen from one of the most famous mining districts in the United States. We had a value of $1,000 on this one for the size, quality and the fact that they are hard to find on the market now.