Smithsonite & Anglsesite (RARE combo- classic old Ireland locale)

Sheshodonnell East Mine, The Burren, Co. Clare, Ireland
Miniature, 4.1 x 3.4 x 2.5 cm
Start Time: 08/16/2018 6:30:00 pm (CDT)
End Time: 08/23/2018 6:30:00 pm (CDT)
Auction Closed

Item Description

Anglesite is RARE from this extinct small Irish zinc deposit worked in about 1862-63 (MINDAT). Three vuggy sides of this rich and showy combination miniature are lined with juicy, translucent, lemon-yellow bubbly cadmium-rich smithsonite botryoids or coral-like growths with moderate luster surfaces. One side is very glassy, translucent, smoky massive anglesite. The smithsonite is a classic and desirable old-time species. Mined for the sphalerite, the smithsonite was originally left on the spoil mounds as gangue material! We almost never see these for sale today! Pieces like this were said to be collected in remining of the dumps in the 1960s and 1970s, but few are to be found today. The periphery wear has negligible impact to the combination RARITY and high quality of this piece. Valued by the former dealer at $280.

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