The Franklin Mine and Buckwheat Pit (which was really just another opening in the same ore-body) are co-type localities for leucophoenicite. Leucophoenicite is a very rare mineral. It has been reported from only seven other localities. As far as I know, euhedral crystals are known only from the Franklin Mine. Massive leucophoenicite was locally abundant, but crystals are very rare even here. This micro specimen features several small, but well formed and beautiful crystals, along with a bit of zincite.

The first pair of photos (FOV 3.15 x 2.2 mm) shows the largest and best of the crystals. The bright pink crystal in the foreground is 0.9 mm wide. The red zincite shows some smooth surfaces, grooves, and other growth or etch figures, but I don’t think that these are euhedral crystals, which are almost invariably hemimorphic, hexagonal, pyramids.

The second pair of photos (FOV 2.4 x 2.4 mm) is another view of the main crystal. (Note: this photo was taken before I removed a bit of “overhang” so as to expose the other crystals in the cavity.)

There is a second, smaller, cavity on the specimen with two more, very small, but well-formed, crystals. (Not shown.)

NOTE: The full-view photo has obvious problems due to corruption of several frames in the stack. But it is usable enough for  the present purpose. In particular, the main crystal is clearly visible left of center.

Single item shipping weight (with MM case) is 2.8 oz (79 g). For shipments outside the USA, up to a total weight < 8 oz (225g), this can be combined with items from this or other auctions for the same postage.

Within the USA, postage for total weights up to 13 oz ranges from $4.25 to $6.50 (including packing etc) regardless of destination. Above 13 oz, I will use “own box” Priority Mail. The rate, including packing, varies by destination from $7.25 to $9.50.

See my updated “Shipping Policy” for details.