Quartz var. Chalcedony

The Trevascus mine lies towards the south west of Camborne, almost halfway along the railway line to Hayle.  This old mine operated only briefly between 1837 and 1842, producing copper and tin.  But it is for its magnificent specimens of Chalcedony the mine became famous.  All Trevascus Chalcedonies appear quite different on handling and this cabinet specimen is no exception.  What would appear to be a completely solid matrix densely coated with deep clove brown to golden tan Chalcedony stalactites and curtained druses turns out to be entirely hollow.  This forms an epimorph-like shell internally lined with similar Chalcedony stalactites.  It is a majestic beast containing mouth-like openings surrounded by inwardly curved Chalcedony fangs – the stuff of monster movie nightmares, but mineralogist’s dreams. Buy it if you dare!