Millerite with Baryte on Siderite

This stunning miniature of radiating acicular Millerite crystals with intergrown, small blades of Baryte coating Siderite, is a characteristic but outstanding example from the wonderfully named Pfannenberger Einigkeit mine, close to Neunkirchen in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Although entirely hidden, the Siderite forms stacked spherical aggregates, all of which are masked by the complete overgrowth of radiating Millerite crystals. Holding this specimen very carefully so as not to damage any crystals, the base looks like a brecciated mix of Siderite and Baryte, but whether this is representative of the entire matrix is difficult to judge. The Millerite forms needle-like metallic golden green crystals in radiating spheres, whose centres adopt a deep olive green hue surrounded by lustrous pale golden halos. The specimen is accompanied with a lovely (very) old handwritten German label.