Pyromorphite - important, historic
stock #1023-JM-553
Berezovsk Mine, Ekaterinburg, Sverdlovskaya Oblast, Middle Urals
Sverdlovsk Oblast,
Russia
8.2 x 7.3 x 4.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $2200
Pre Tucson
From the Harvard Museum collection then by trade (1977) to John Marshall, this is a very old specimen originally in the Leibener collection. Exceptional size and quality for this famous Siberian Urals locality where mining began in 1747. Although this was a gold mining area there were many other minerals found there, it is the type locality for 7 species one of which (Crocoite) led to the discovery of the element Chromium. This is an extraordinary rich and significant Pyro specimen from this classic locality, it may be the best extant outside of a major museum. Typical specimens are usually just druzy crusts and association pieces. The Pyromorphite here is deep forest green with the main crystalized mass of 6x5 CM. Individual prisms are up to 6 mm in size though most are under 4mm. In remarkably good condition, no obvious naked eye visible damage but magnification does show several small broken and chipped crystals. Despite this it is still a good display quality specimen and would be a fine addition to any serious Pyromorphite suite or Russian collection.