Olivenite

This outstanding Olivenite is from Wheal Gorland, an old mine in the parish of Gwennap, just east of Redruth.  Wheal Gorland later became incorporated into the St. Day United Mines, but the exact period this specimen was mined remains unknown.  This cabinet specimen (small hand-size) has two major cavities, or large vugs, completely lined with thick acicular deep leaf-green Olivenite crystals which form radial aggregates with crystals averaging about 3 mm long and in rich bundles.  The larger vug is triangular and measures 5 cm at its widest point and is between 1.5 to 2 cm deep.  The smaller, more open vug is 5.5 cm long, but overall is narrower and shallower than the former.  The enveloping matrix is the characteristic near-surface veinstone encountered in this group of mines, of naturally etched and part-brecciated milky Quartz and heavily iron stained in multiple shades of rust from orange-tan to russet.  A wonderful Olivenite from the great Wheal Gorland.