This specimen features lots and lots of tiny zincite pyramids aggregated into “balls” <= 1 mm in diameter. Small as these crystals are, bear in mind that natural zincite crystals of any size are rare.
The best crystals are shown in the first pair of photos (FOV 3.4 x 2.5 mm). They measure ca 0.2 mm on edge. You will need 30-40X to see them clearly. Most of the other zincite crystals are smaller.
The third photo is a super-close-up which tries to show some of the unusual zincite crystal habits on this specimen. Note, in particular, what appears to be a prismatic crystal topped by a pyramid near right-center. One generally thinks of (natural) zincite as forming hemimorphic pyramids. But these pyramids can have various angles and combinations of angles. Columnar and tabular crystals are also known, although the latter are exceedingly rare. There are some other unusual habits here, but unfortunately my equipment/skill aren’t up to the task of photographing such small (<= 0.3 mm) crystals properly.
The next pair of photos shows an area ca 15 x 13 mm which includes the zincite balls shown in the first pair of photos.
The next pair of photos shows a different area, ca 13.5 x 12 mm also covered with zincite balls.
The specimen also has drusy pinkish hodgkinsonite, fibrous/platy chlorophoenicite and a few small crystals of lustrous hateorilte.
The eighth photo (FOV 3.4 x 2.2 mm) shows a complex aggregate of black, very lustrous, hetaerolite crystals about 1.1 mm in maximum diameter. It is surrounded by a carpet of tiny hofgkinsonite crystals perhaps 0.1 mm on edge. These crystals are too small for me to photograph them distinctly.
The ninth photo (FOV 6.9 x 4.6 mm) shows one of the two main areas of platy chlorophoenicite (sprinkled with hodgkinsonite). My initial reaction was that this is sussexite, but they guy who identified the cholorphoenicite knew his stuff and I have now come around to agree with him. In fact, I think both chlorophoenicite and sussexite are present. The sussexite is on the other side of the specimen. (However – just to be safe – I’m not guaranteeing that there is chlorophoenicite, so don’t bid on this specimen for that.)
The arrow in the full-view photo points to some of the larger zincite crystals.
This is a heavy item. Single item shipping weight (no case) is 10.7 oz. It may be advantageous for foreign customers to hold an "open box" so as to reduce postage costs by combining items from a future auction. Let me know, and I will generate a new “item only” invoice. Postage will be invoiced when all items are actually shipped.
Outside the USA, the stated postage and packing rate applies up to a total weight of 32 oz (950 g).
Within the USA, there is a nominal increase of $0.20 for each additional ounce. Above 13 oz, I will use Priority Mail. Up to 16 oz, the “own box” Priority rate is $9.25 (including packing).
