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Silver α-Brass Magnetite Tenorite & Lanarkite

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CLB131102

Silver α-Brass Magnetite Tenorite & Lanarkite

Classic Locality

Description Tabs

Description
Locality: 
Mansfeld Basin, Saxony - Anhalt, Germany
Class: 
Combination
Size Range: 
Small cabinet (7-10 cm)
Size: 
8.3 × 4.8 × 4 cm
Description

This is probably slag material from one of the many smelters in the Mansfeld Basin. The silver re-crystallized and strange needles grew in one of the bubble-like vugs (pictured - might be tenorite or cassiterite). White crystals are most probably lanarkite. The larger golden masses might be natural brass, but could also be silver or a mix of silver and gold. Magnetite is present in micro crystals (which gives the impression of natural growth, not slag ... doesn't it?) A very interesting and mysterious specimen.

Mineral Data
What's on the rock

Silver

Formula: 
Ag
Strunz: 
1.AA.05
Crystal System: 
Isometric
Hardness: 
2.5 - 3.0

α-Brass

Formula: 
Cu3Zn
Strunz: 
1.AB.10a
Crystal System: 
Isometric
Colour: 
Yellow

Magnetite

Formula: 
Fe2+Fe3+2O4
Strunz: 
4.BB.05
Crystal System: 
Isometric
Hardness: 
5.5 - 6.5
Streak: 
Black

Tenorite

Formula: 
CuO
Strunz: 
4.AB.10
Crystal System: 
Monoclinic
Hardness: 
3.5
Streak: 
Black
Type Locality: 
Mt Vesuvius, Somma-Vesuvius Complex, Naples Province, Campania, Italy

Lanarkite

Formula: 
Pb2(SO4)O
Strunz: 
7.BD.40
Hardness: 
2.0 - 2.5
Streak: 
White
Type Locality: 
Susanna Mine (Glennery Scar Vein; Susanna Vein [Scar Vein]; Portobello Vein; Humby Vein; Lead Vein), Leadhills, South Lanarkshire, Strathclyde (Lanarkshire), Scotland, UK

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