Wulfenite (classic material)

Item Description

Fine specimens of Wulfenite from Tsumeb don't get enough attention in my mind, as they get somewhat lost in the shuffle amongst so many minerals from this famous mine, along with other Wulfenites from various world localities. Those who know will attest that the best pieces from Tsumeb feature fine quality crystals with excellent color, often in fine display quality specimens. This piece features an isolated, sharp, lustrous, tabular blade of Wulfenite measuring 2.2 cm on edge, sitting on almost granular dark grey-black Tennantite matrix with minor Quartz. Although the Wulfenite appears "black" on the surface, there is a gemmy golden hue that can be seen inside when it's backlit. The edges have some "indentations" where the crystal appears to have been interconnected with the hanging wall of the pocket, but I looked closely, and it's not damage, just an interrupted growth essentially. You don't see Wulfenites like this typically outside of Tsumeb, and to have such a showy display specimen with unusual coloring is certainly noteworthy. A wonderful, rare and show example of these classic Wulfenites.
From the collection of Colorado mining legend, Dave Bergman. Dave is now retired, but among other things, he was the foreman and primary person in charge of recovering specimens at the famous Sweet Home Mine near Alma, Colorado during the late 1970s. He is also the maternal grandfather of Brian Kosnar. See Dave's photo mining at the Sweet Home on page 58 of Peter Bancroft's book "Gem and Crystal Treasures".