Mimetite

Resistance is futile, it is said, so I am forced to exclaim a massive ‘wow’!  We all see lots of Mimetites from Tsumeb and most are beautiful, but this bed of large gemmy tan-tinged lemon-yellow crystals, pervaded with gemmy zones, is simply magnificent and will contribute a rare and superb addition to any collection, be it Tsumeb or more general.  Linear hexagonal prisms to 1.8 x 0.35 cm form an interpenetrant array over a grey, brick-red and bluish-green matrix of mixed carbonates and oxides.  All the crystals tend to be double terminated with flat pinacoidal terminations and dappled, pitted surfaces, a result of subsequent light etching by circulating brines within the Tsumeb orebody’s plumbing system.  A choice and excellent Mimetite from Tsumeb.