Clinoclase

Attention all collectors of ex. Sir Arthur Russell specimens! We know many collectors who diligently collect and covert Sir Arthur’s labels, not to mention the accompanying specimens! This Clinoclase, from its type locality at Wheal Gorland in Gwennap Parish, Cornwall, is right up there amongst the very best of his exchange specimens. I only wish I had been around when this was sold as Sir Arthur has it priced at 8/-, written in light pencil in the top right corner. This is the short form of writing eight shillings, of which there were twenty shilling to one pound. In the UK’s present decimal currency 8/- is 40p or £0.40. Those were the days! It is an exquisitely rich and well crystallised Clinoclase, with characteristic clusters of dark, slightly greenish inky blue radiating crystals, forming a crust-like layer up to 8 mm thick. Eight millimetres may not sound that much but when you actually see it, it’s impressive. The Clinoclase has formed on a Quartz veinstone together with emerald green infillings of Malachite. Look closely amongst the Malachite to see smaller radial fans of crystallised Clinoclase. This wonderful small cabinet specimen is ex. the Arnold Fisher Collection with his white paper label, plus two other well-known collectors’ labels in addition to that of Sir Arthur Russell. Also noted on the back of one label is ex. the collection of Marianne Godshaw.