Wulfenite (GEM crystals) with Calcite on Mimetite

Item Description

A beautiful old-time association specimen from the 1970s era of mining at the Ojuela Mine. The more contemporary Wulfenites from this mine are typically thick, blocky crystals with a rich orange hue, but these older specimens are notably different, and this particular piece hosts several GEM quality, very thin yellow blades of Wulfenite measuring up to 1.3 cm on edge, associated with slightly pinkish colored compressed rhombs of Calcite measuring up to about 5 mm across, sitting on a layer of soft yellow botryoidal Mimetite on oxidized matrix. This style is rare to find from this locality, and specimens are certainly desirable for Wulfenite collectors or fans of minerals from the Ojuela Mine.
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".