A structurally unique specimen highlighting near-pristine Azurite crystals nestled in a groundmass comprised of small calcite rhombehedra coated with a yellow to orange cryptocrystalline species, most likely limonite. The blue azurite prisms are partially altered to green malachite. The juxtaposition of the greens and blues within the yellow-orange provides a very pleasing aesthetic. This combination is accented by colorless, translucent Cerussite crystals. Macro lens magnification reveals one flat tabular crystal of either cerussite or anglesite along with acicular crystals of malachite, presenting both “bowtie” and botryoidal forms, the latter over/after calcite. The dark brown spherical aggregates are presumed to be Mottramite. A side-angle view shows evidence of structural deformation of the host rock during diagenesis. All in all, a very interesting and unusual Tsumeb piece, sourced directly from the notable Tsumeb collector/dealer Clive Queit almost forty years ago and uncirculated ever since. There is minor cleavage separation on the largest cerussite crystal, which is apparent only to the most practiced of eyes.
