WULFENITE

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This large, slightly curved tabular Wulfenite crystal is a sensational small cabinet specimen from the Tsumeb mine in Namibia and, based on the many hundred I must have seen over t he years, is unique. For starters it is big, measuring 3.5 cm wide by at least 2.5 cm high, with more of this dimension embedded in the matrix. The crystal is approximately 5 mm thick at its centre and tapers out to a razor-shape knife-edges around its periphery. It is a highly flattened bipyramid, with four sided pyramidal faces on display. Around the edges where a little light is transmitted its colour is deep buff, but as the prism thickens it rapidly becomes deep clove brown to almost black. The matrix is that of the near-surface levels at Tsumeb, but certainly not a typical matrix, appearing almost chloritic, like a porous slag. Fear not, it is a natural gossan matrix from the higher part of the ore pipe, pervaded with small Wulfenite crystals of a similar dark colour. All Wulfenite crystals present, big or small, have a bright glassy lustre. An outstanding and show-stopping Tsumeb Wulfenite. Show more