Ludlockite in Leiteite (type locality)

Item Description

Emplaced nicely on a small piece of matrix is a single, highly lustrous, and silvery pink crystal Leiteite anong with a trace of included Ludlockite. This a very good and aesthetic thumbnail combination specimen of these two rare species, and Tsumeb is the type locality for both! Leiteite is a zinc arsenate and Ludlockite is a lead-iron arsenate; both are very rare. This fascinating combo specimen consists of a pronounced, 2 cm long x 1.2 cm wide, lustrous, micaceous looking, silvery pink, bladed prismatic crystal containing tiny inclusions of burnt orange Ludlockite on one side. A smaller, similar looking Leiteite with Ludlockite inclusions can also be seen on the backside. A photo of this piece is shown on page 40 in 'Minerals of Namibia', by Shields and Frances Flynn. Ex. Clive Queit collection. Valued $1500