GOETHITE coating CERUSSITE after ANGLESITE

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Iconic, unique, majestic. These are just a few of the words that could be used to describe the amazing perfection and sharpness of the original orthorhombic Anglesite crystals at B roken Hill (Australia) which have, through natural geological processes, altered to become Cerussite (pseudomorphs) which have subsequently been coated (epimorphed) by glossy black Goethite. Part of the legendary Milton Lavers Collection, this wonderful, and rare, specimen has a greyish matrix that looks decidedly like it could be lead manganese oxide - Coronadite, with a thin outer coating of glossy Goethite. One of the Anglesite pseudo/epimorphs has one side flaked away to expose the internal Cerussite but all of the other crystals in the prominent aggregate are in perfect condition and look stunning. This type of material is extremely rare, and yet so important to the mineralogical history of Broken Hill. In terms of labelling, the individual workings at Broken Hill are complicated by different ownerships and opencasting of earlier underground workings. These distinctive pseudomorphs are sometimes noted as having been found at the bottom of the Kintore opencut in 1989, but this piece is recorded as from the MMM mine which is further north. Show more