Hydroxylpyromorphite on Cerussite
stock #20-FC-058-(9163)
MFouati Mine, Bouenza Department
Bouenza Department,
Republic of Congo (Brazzaville)
5.9 x 3.1 x 1.7 CM (cabinet)
price: $2250
Spring 2020
A very fine and unusually esthetic specimen of this new and rare mineral. This is a newly recognized specie (2017) and is the Pyromorphite analogue of Hydroxylapatite (Pyromorphite is of course part of the Apatite family). The well formed Cerussite crystal is a super matrix for the white to greenish crusts of micro crystals and masses. This specimen from the Congo is by far the best looking example I have seen. It is uncommon for new or rare minerals to visible to the naked eye and less often colorful or attractive. It remains to be seen if more will be found at MFouati, it is the first find of the specie in Africa. This mineral was previously noted at three localities in Europe and two in the USA as an "unknown, undescribed" specie. In those localities this has been found only in submillimeter crystals and crusts. A superb example with a rich coverage, a superb addition for a Pyromorphite suite.
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