TSU20-76
Galena with Smithsonite
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia
Thumbnail, 2.7 x 1.5 x 1.3 cm
SOLD

Very unusual and competition-level Tsumeb thumbnail comprised of numerous, small Smithsonite crystals on Galena from Tsumeb! This is just really cool the way a relatively large, 2.5cm long, composite Galena crystal is the host for nearly two dozen pink Smithsonite crystals (3 to 6mm). The Galena crystal seems to be one elongated cube modified by octahedral faces atop that have a shimmering metallic luster and color. The Smithsonites that grace the Galena are largely restricted to a few sides and the top of the piece and are isolated nicely. A small cluster at the base of the piece contains the largest Smithsonite measuring a nearly equant 5 x 6mm. In perfect condition with only contacting at the bottom where it was attached to the matrix. An old specimen, which I have followed now for several decades, and perhaps the finest surprise example of a locality galena thumbnail you might actually be able to include in a competition thumbnail collection.