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Tarnowitzite

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Tarnowitzite

Classic Locality

Description Tabs

Description
Locality: 
Tsumeb Mine, Otavi Highlands, Namibia
Size Range: 
Cabinet (10-18 cm)
Size: 
10.7 × 7.8 × 7.5 cm
Largest Crystal: 
2.00cm
Description

A suprisingly large matrix specimen featuring large clusters of white 'tarnowitzite' crystals from Tsumeb. These are by far the largest crystals I have personally seen. Tarnowitzite is not a valid mineral species but a synonym for plumboan aragonite. The matrix comprises a mass of tiny rhombahedral calcite crystals with clear quartz crystals.

With a microscope the calcite shows some grey - black inclusions and there are what appears to be a few micro cerussite crystals and a small patch of an olive green mineral which could be olivenite or duftite covered by calcite. The specimen is in perfect condition with no damage observed.

Mineral Data
What's on the rock

Tarnowitzite

Variety Of: 

Aragonite

Formula: 
CaCO3
Strunz: 
5.AB.15
Hardness: 
3.5 - 4.0
Hardness: 
0.0
Type Locality: 
Tarnowskie Góry (Tarnowitz), Upper Silesia (Śląskie), Poland
Gondwana Minerals