Wulfenite

This rich large miniature Wulfenite from Tsumeb mine in Namibia is made especially striking by the remarkable contrast between the brilliant lustrous crystals and the matt, sooty grey-black matrix.  The Wulfenite forms bevelled tabular square crystals averaging 4 to 5 mm on edge, of rich golden sherry-tinged mid-olive green.  The Wulfenite crystals have a dazzling lustre which stands out from the oxidised surface of what is probably a Chalcocite matrix, based on its metallic, granular greyish-silver base.  A great and quite different example of the lead molybdate Wulfenite from Tsumeb and ex. the Josef Clemente Collection of southern Germany.