Ludlockite (very rare) (3 pieces) (ex Richard A. Kosnar Collection)

Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region, Namibia (Type Locality)
Thumbnail, 1.0 x 0.1 x 0.1 cm to 0.6 x 0.2 x 0.1 cm
Start Time: 05/16/2019 6:45:00 pm (CDT)
End Time: 05/23/2019 6:45:00 pm (CDT)
Auction Closed

Item Description

A wonderful trio of the VERY rare lead iron arsenite species, Ludlockite - one of which features a tiny bit of colorless Leiteite - from the type locality for both species, the famous Tsumeb Mine. Leiteite is remarkably rare, only found in a few world localities, but the Tsumeb material is the most famous. Ludlockite nearly as rare, as it is only found in about ten world localities, but the only pieces of note are also from Tsumeb. All three pieces feature small "hair"-like, strong bronze-orange color, intergrown crystals of Ludlockite free of matrix. Two of the Ludlockites have an appearance as though they were braided, but I think they truly resemble reticulated "Sagenite" Rutile. Leiteite was named after Luis Antonio Bravo Teixeira-Leite, who first noted the material. Ludlockite was named after mineral dealers Frederick (Rick) Ludlow Smith and Charles (Charlie) Locke Key: Ludlow + Locke = Ludlockite. This material is virtually impossible to find on the market today, and these pieces are MUST HAVE for any rare species collector, a fan of Tsumeb minerals, or species from the type locality. From the collection of Richard A. Kosnar (the namesake for Kosnarite) who personally acquired it from Charlie Key.

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