SOLD
RARE08-2-90
Warikahnite
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region, Namibia (Type Locality)
Thumbnail, 0.9 x 0.4 x 0.1 cm
Ex. William Pinch
SOLD
A shimmering, almost metallic, and GEMMY crystal of the very rare zinc arsenate, Warikahnite. Very few of these specimens were ever recovered from Tsumeb (I believe all were from a single pocket in 1979 and one other pocket found after at some time in the 1980s and sold as legrandite), and fewer still came to the collector market. This attractive amber-colored crystal is well-terminated, has superb luster, and is very gemmy. It is top quality for the species. On top of that, this crystal was trimmed off of the (probably best known) specimen of this species, from the William Pinch collection, that was featured on the cover of the Mineralogical Record, Vol. 36, #4, July-August, 2005. Bill says that the quality and robust form of this crystal made it among the best of species (worth trimming off the whole), and his specimen overall is a factor of ten times better than others known to begin with. Thus, he charged me a lot for it in our exchange - but it "is what it is" and I do not think one is likely to find a better. (TYPE and ONLY LOCALITY)