Greenockite with Prehnite and Pumpellyite

An outstanding crystal of Greenockite (cadmium sulphide), extremely large and well formed for the species, measuring 7 mm long and nestling amongst crystals of colourless-milky Calcite and pale apple-green Prehnite to 0.4 cm scattered throughout.  This specimen is from the Andesite quarry at Kreimbach-Kaulbach in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, renowned for its amazing Greenockite crystals, but closed since 2014.  The Greenockite forms a gently curved acorn or beetle-shaped crystal with a finely striated surface like brushed silk with a metallic lustre.  Its colour is the typical toffee-orange normally associated with Greenockite.  Strewn across much of the specimen are sub-mm botryoidal Pumpellyite crystals as sooty-black/very dark green micro-spheres.  This superb Greenockite is a wonderful location piece and is a high ranking specimen for its species.