HALP2-07
Metatorbernite
Shinkolobwe Mine, Shinkolobwe, Kambove District, Haut-Katanga, DR Congo
Small Cabinet, 9.0 x 6.6 x 6.5 cm
Ex. Jack Halpern
SOLD

One of the great surprises from the central African copper belt mines, for display collectors, were these amazing metatorbernites that came out in the 1960s and 1970s in this quality, from just a few pockets. These are now modern classics! This rich, sparkling knob of shiny crystals is 3-dimensional and nearly pristine. It is easy to see why the miners called them "green wulfenite" at first, from the sharp habit of the blades, and the metallic luster combined with forest-green color. I do not believe any great pockets have been found since the 1980s, or earlier. The mine is officially closed to mass production, although small scale artisanal mining and collecting proceeds. When I grew up, we called these Torbernite. Now, it is Metatorbernite, thanks to scientific reclassification.