Andrewsite (Hentschelite-Rockbridgeite-Chalcosiderite) with Goethite

Although we still refer to this mineral as Andrewsite, it was discredited in 1990, being a mixture of Hentschelite and Rockbridgeite with minor Chalcosiderite. This small cabinet specimen is from Wheal Phoenix, the original location where Andrewsite was first reported. Unlike other discredited species, the name Andrewsite is still commonly used as it is a real Cornish classic associated with the Minions mining district and a much more practical name to call it by rather than the three-species mixture! Complete leaf green spherules of crystalline Andrewsite to 5 mm diameter form a nice group to one side of the flat Quartz matrix surface. In addition, many broken spherical aggregates are scattered on both the top and bottom surfaces revealing their internal peppermint green radial structure. This specimen is accompanied with a Gwynant Valley Minerals yellow card label, a happy reminder of the late Ernie Pickard and his vast stock of specimens then found at his Beddgelert premises.