Wulfenite (Specimen #100271)

Mineral(s): Wulfenite 

Location: Tsumeb Mine (Ongopolo Mine), Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia  

Size: 3.4 x 2.7 x 2.9 cm 

Provenance:  Tony Steede Collection

Description: Lustrous translucent yellow-brown wulfenite crystals are intergrown on a deep brown sparkling tennantite-rich matrix. The larger wulfenite crystals measure to 9mm on edge and are beveled on each edge such that they appear as flattened di-pyramidal crystals. There are six larger crystals and many smaller wulfenite crystals on matrix. The crystals have a pearly luster. The specimen is heavy and there is bruising on several crystals on the back of the specimen. The slight damage does not compromise the uniqueness of the specimen.

Wulfenite is less common from Tsumeb than other minerals. The Tsumeb mine is a world-famous Cu-Pb-Zn-Ag-Ge-Cd mine, renowned for a wealth of rare and unusual minerals. On January 21, 1893, Mathew Rogers discovered the "green hill" and the site started operating in 1907 and closed in 1996 for economic reasons.