Vivianite

Wheal Owles is situated just southwest of the village of Botallack and to the north of Kenidjack, famous for its alluvial tin. Sooty black Vivianite forms rich crusts over an iron-stained block of vein Quartz. The Vivianite, an iron phosphate, is probably intensely dark greenish purple, but this colour cannot be detected due to the opaqueness and matt texture of this specimen. This example of Vivianite will not win any awards for its beauty but is an interesting old-time specimen from this famous Cornish mine close to Land’s End. An extremely old label is glued to the specimen stating “Earthy phosphate of Iron, St. Just”.