A lot of species on this small specimen! The matrix here has a few small Cuprite crystals on the edges but the main open vug is packed with crystals of colorful Copper secondary minerals. The Chalcophyllite is most prominent with well-defined crystals in classic habit. It is quite rich for this locality. This is a very old mine, closed in 1840. An attractive piece though small, the Cornubite and Cornwallite are visually rather similar both in botryoidal zones and some very tiny druses, we are copying earlier labels and using previous owners checking to include both species on our listing, but we have not done further testing. There may be other species present as well, it is a densely populated specimen! I am unsure about the Liskardite, it is supposed to be there but the only spots I can find with magnification that may be this specie are very hard to see well. If present it is a very small amount and only listed for completeness. An uncommon Cornish multi-specie piece that is quite colorful.
Botallackite - very rich specimen
stock #22.1-381
Cligga Mine, Cligga Head, Perranporth, Perranzabuloe, St. Agnes District
Cornwall,
England
7.8 x 5.9 x 4.7 CM (cabinet)
price: $800
Early summer 2023
A fine and sizable classic Botallackite from Cligga Head (Cornwall) with dense coverings of bright vivid green crystals. A fairly rare Copper Chloride, these crystals are on every side of the matrix. There are two larger flat faces on either side that are nearly solid lustrous Botallackite. Not often seen as display quality specimens (most are micros) this piece has fine impact. Quite big crystals for the specie and on an attractive cabinet sized matrix .
A killer Cornish Chalcopyrite! Excellent sharp irridescent Chalcopyrites in several habits mixed with Quartz crystals on a Chalcopyrite matrix. This looks very much like some specimens in the British Museum collection, those did not have any mine attribution, this one however is credited to the Redruth area on an older label. We have never seen anything like this from Redruth but perhaps the community of Cornish collectors have better information on that detail. We are informed that many old specimens with Redruth Labels came in fact from the nearby Carn Brea, this seems a likely possibility. No matter the mine, this has a classic Cornish look, and the crystals are especially bright with fine patina in person. There is one elongated habit Chalcopyrite crystal that is especially fine, this is a habit that is quite rare worldwide. Though Chalcopyrite is a common mineral, fine crystals are surprisingly rare and these are outstanding. Excellent display that is better in person.
A very fine, old (1816) classic British specimen that is very well-crystalized. The Wheal Gorland Mine began working in 1792, it became an important source of great Cornish mineral specimens in the early 1800 era. The Olivenites on this specimen are sharp, lustrous dark crystals that are in clusters and ball-like groupings. It also has some contrasting yellow Chenevixite (this is the type locality for the specie) which makes a nice contrast. Based on the habit, crystal quality and matrix, this specimen seems to be from the early workings of the famed Mutrell Lode which was later absorbed into the Wheal Gorland proper. The 1816 date on the label also gives this some support to this guess, this was the most productive period of these workings. The matrix is very typical of other confirmed Mutrell specimens, but there is no way to make absolutely certain of this. No matter the exact shaft and workings, this is a very fine Gorland specimen in excellent condition, with a very esthetic form. Superb antique piece for lovers of mineral history, classics, Cornish or Copper minerals!
Axinite - classic British, vintage
stock #AX-10-557
Bottallack Cliff, Bottalack, St. Just
Cornwall,
England
7.8 x 5.4 x 4.6 CM (cabinet)
price: $500
Fall 22
A fine, old and quite large Axinite from Cornwall, ex. Hugh Ford and Ara Dildilian. The blocky matrix is richly covered with quite lustrous and gemmy Axinite crystals to about 1 CM in size. While there are some bruised crystals on the specimen there are also many complete and fine as well. The vintage is likely more than 75 years old as that was the era when Dildalian was acquiring minerals from Ford. Hugh Fords US Mineral business spanned 1945 to 1957 though he was a collector in England since 1916.
Native Copper - crystalized Cornish
stock #22.1-169
Trevassack Quarry, The Lizard Penninsula, Goonhill Downs, Mawgan-in Mene
Cornwall,
England
6.4 x 3.9 x 1.4 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $290
Fall 22
Classic Native Copper tree-like form with a colorful patina is perched on a shard of matrix. In fine condition with some slight iridescence in strong light, this is a an older piece with three previous collection labels included. This is from a less well-known locality at this former serpentine Quarry. The Copper crystals are distinct though crude, flattened and elongated having grown in a narrow seam. Some adhering Serpentine and Chrysocolla add a nice accent.
An especially fine thumbnail of elongated Chalcocite crystals some showing the cogs-wheel form of twinning. From the classic Cornish locality of Levant, which operated from 1793 to 1930 which produced some of the very best of British Chalcocites. This style is quite uncommon from the mine and presents well from all sides. In excellent condition with well-defined form and esthetic composition.
Liroconite - superb, classic British
stock #22.FC-003
Wheal Gorland, St Day, United Mines, Gwennap. Camborne, Redruth-St. Day
Cornwall,
England
6.2 x 4 x 3.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $3100
Post Tucson 2022
Often described as a holy grail specie, Cornish Liroconite is certainly the epitome of a rare, classic, beautiful and highly desired mineral. Bright, sharp and vivid blue crystals are nestled in five vugs of various sizes on tall sides of the matrix. The great finds of this mineral in England are very old, most going back to the late 18th century and ending in the mid 1800's. This piece is certainly very old, probably well over 150 years and comes from the type locality (Wheal Gorland). The crystals have superb color and are in excellent condition. Liroconite has been found at a few other localities worldwide, but never in fine display quality or large crystals. It is worth noting a small recent find of the mineral in China that had drawn a lot of interest, but none had large or well-developed crystals. These Cornish specimens are still the greatest and most coveted on the planet.
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