Libethenite

Item Description

A sculptural, aesthetic and rich 270-degree matrix miniature of intergrown libethenite crystals from the well-known Nkana Mine of Zambia. The lustrous, sharp, pseudo-octahedral crystals are black to greenish-black. The stepped-growth faces enhance the crystals. The large crystal is 1.4 cm on edge, which is very good sized for the find and are rare. The matrix is argillite, a fine-grained sedimentary rock composed predominantly of indurated clay particles (Wikipedia). This large underground and open pit Cu-Co mine produced the world's finest examples of this uncommon Cu-phosphate in 1975, with several different crystal habits found (this owner was there at the time working, and took some home, stored until now!). See the 1978 Mineralogical Record article in Vol. 9, No. 6. An excellent and rich matrix specimen from the find with fine form.