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Reference Specimens
The Desmond Sacco Collection

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On this page we have shown the specimens that were in the Desmond Sacco Collection. We didn't want to delete them from our website given their quality, so we decided to save them and publish all of them on this special page, which will act as a kind of representative overview of this classic collection.
We hope that you enjoy your visit, even if it is just to see this page!


Text: Carles Curto (curator of the Geology Museum, Barcelona ) & Jordi Fabre
Assistance from John S. White (former Smithsonian curator)

 


Desmond Sacco is an authority when it comes to African as well as worldwide minerals. I met him many years ago at the Munich Show when it was in the city of Munich and Desmond was one of the stars of the show, buying the best that appeared there. His collection was legendary, not only because of the wonders we knew he would certainly have acquired given his position in the mines of the Kalahari Manganese Field (Hotazel, Wessels, N'Chwaning...) and his proximity to the legendary Tsumeb, but also because we saw what he was buying, and thus got an idea of the quality of his collection.

Many years and many mineral Munich shows have now passed and, for the first time, Desmond Sacco has decided to sell some specimens from his collection, starting with miniatures and thumbnails and some cabinet specimens. We have been fortunate to acquire the first batch, consisting of material from Tsumeb and the Kalahari, and with these we can make a virtual trip to the mines and minerals guided by Desmond and his collecting criteria.


From the web page of Desmond Sacco


We hope you enjoy these samples, which represent an important part of mineralogy and mineral collecting in Africa.

Jordi Fabre

The Desmond Sacco Collection


Shattuckite with Malachite and Quartz
Shattuckite with Malachite and Quartz.
Shattuckite with Malachite and Quartz. Shattuckite with Malachite and Quartz.

TH89S5: Crustal and globular growths of Shattuckite with a felted surface and a very uniform and intense blue color, with aggregates of acicular crystals of Malachite, on a Quartz matrix.
Kaokoveld Mine, Kaokoveld, Kunene  Namibia (2007)

Specimen size: 9.8 × 6.7 × 5.4 cm = 3.9” × 2.6” × 2.1”

With handwritten label from the Desmond Sacco Collection


 
Quartz (Amethyst)

TE69S5: Transparent, colorless and very neat crystals with very well marked phantom growth of deep amethyst color. The base of the sample is recrystallized and the main crystal has a small geometrical indentation on the faces of the rhombohedron.
Goboboseb Mountain, Brandberg, Erongo  Namibia (2001)

Specimen size: 10.4 × 9.2 × 3.8 cm = 4.1” × 3.6” × 1.5”

Main crystal size: 10.4 × 2.2 cm = 4.1” × 0.9”

With handwritten label from the Desmond Sacco Collection


Quartz (Amethyst). Quartz (Amethyst).
 
Sceptered Quartz (Amethyst) and smoky Quartz
Sceptered Quartz (Amethyst) and smoky Quartz. Front
Front
Sceptered Quartz (Amethyst) and smoky Quartz. Rear
Rear
Sceptered Quartz (Amethyst) and smoky Quartz. Top
Top

TF91S5: Very well defined scepter growth with echeloned faces, internal and external, and very well marked "window" forms. The sample is uniformly violet with smoky areas in the scepter. The base of the piece had been polished to give it some stability.
Goboboseb Mountain, Brandberg, Erongo  Namibia (2001)

Specimen size: 10.4 × 4.5 × 4.3 cm = 4.1” × 1.8” × 1.7”

With handwritten label from the Desmond Sacco Collection


 
Beryl (Aquamarine) with Schorl

MA90R6: Parallel growth of crystals, some of them doubly terminated, very bright, with excellent blue color, more intense than usual with samples from this locality and with neat and bright terminations. On the Aquamarine there are small crystals, very well defined, of Schorl.
Erongo Mountain, Usakos-Omaruru, Erongo  Namibia (1990)

Specimen size: 4.4 × 4.2 × 3.7 cm = 1.7” × 1.7” × 1.5”

Main crystal size: 3 × 2.2 cm = 1.2” × 0.9”

With handwritten label from the Desmond Sacco Collection


Beryl (Aquamarine) with Schorl. Front
Front
Beryl (Aquamarine) with Schorl. Top
Top
 
Schorl with Beryl (Aquamarine)
Schorl with Beryl (Aquamarine). Schorl with Beryl (Aquamarine).

TP90S5: Crystals of Schorl formed by a single prism, a ditrigonal prism and the terminal faces of a rhombohedron. These faces are polycrystalline and partially skeletal, the walls of the edges being very well marked. The Schorl is with intense blue crystals of Beryl (Aquamarine), very transparent and bright.
Erongo Mountain, Usakos-Omaruru, Erongo  Namibia (1995)

Specimen size: 8.2 × 7.7 × 5.4 cm = 3.2” × 3.0” × 2.1”

Main crystal size: 5 × 3 cm = 2.0” × 1.2”

With handwritten label from the Desmond Sacco Collection


 
Schorl

MB99R8: Group of partially doubly terminated crystals with very well defined faces and edges and perfect terminations. We specially note the size of the main crystal, considerably larger than most from this locality.
Erongo Mountain, Omaruru District  Namibia (2000)

Specimen size: 10 × 8 × 8.3 cm = 3.9” × 3.1” × 3.3”

Main crystal size: 7.4 × 7.3 cm = 2.9” × 2.9”

With handwritten label from the Desmond Sacco Collection


Schorl. Front
Front
Schorl. Side
Side
 
Gaudefroyite
Gaudefroyite.

TG36Q5: Group of doubly terminated crystals, perfectly defined. They are formed by the prism and the dipyramid, with an excellent luster. Crystal size is notable for the species.
Black Rock Mine, Black Rock, Kalahari  South Africa

Specimen size: 1.8 × 1.3 × 0.9 cm = 0.7” × 0.5” × 0.4”

Main crystal size: 1.4 × 0.5 cm = 0.6” × 0.2”


 
Gaudefroyite with Andradite and Barite

TT68Q3: Black bright thin prismatic crystals of Gaudefroyite with very well defined faces and edges and excellent terminations. They are with a sharp white Barite crystal and are on a matrix coated by small crystals of deep colored Andradite.
Black Rock Mine, Black Rock, Kalahari  South Africa (1987)

Specimen size: 8.7 × 6.2 × 3.4 cm = 3.4” × 2.4” × 1.3”

Main crystal size: 0.7 × 0.2 cm = 0.3” × 0.1”


Gaudefroyite with Andradite and Barite.
Gaudefroyite with Andradite and Barite. Gaudefroyite with Andradite and Barite.
 
Shigaite on Rhodochrosite
Shigaite on Rhodochrosite. Shigaite on Rhodochrosite.

TY47Q3: Laminar crystals of this rare species. They have a sharp hexagonal shape, deep red-brown color and they are translucent and very bright. On Rhodochrosite matrix.
N'Chwaning I Mine, Kuruman, Kalahari  South Africa (1996)

Specimen size: 3.7 × 2.9 × 1.8 cm = 1.5” × 1.1” × 0.7”

Main crystal size: 0.3 × 0.2 cm = 0.1” × 0.1”

Rhodochrosite fluorescent long & short UV


 
Shigaite on Rhodochrosite

TB69Q3: Tabular crystals of this rare species. They have a hexagonal shape, intense red brown color, deeper near the edges of the crystals, from translucent to transparent and very bright. On Rhodochrosite matrix.
N'Chwaning I Mine, Kuruman, Kalahari  South Africa (1996)

Specimen size: 3.3 × 2.7 × 1.4 cm = 1.3” × 1.1” × 0.6”

Main crystal size: 0.5 × 0.3 cm = 0.2” × 0.1”

Rhodochrosite fluorescent long & short UV


Shigaite on Rhodochrosite. Shigaite on Rhodochrosite.
 
Inesite with Calcite
Inesite with Calcite. Front
Front
Inesite with Calcite. Rear
Rear
Inesite with Calcite.

TF28Q3: Bright orange acicular crystals of Inesite. They are on Calcite which is on matrix. Calcite has grown in two successive generations, the first one is micro-crystalline and has a botryoidal development, the second crystallized in rhombohedrons.
N'Chwaning II Mine, Kuruman, Kalahari  South Africa

Specimen size: 6.3 × 3.8 × 2.3 cm = 2.5” × 1.5” × 0.9”

Main crystal size: 0.5 × 0.1 cm = 0.2” × 0.0”

Calcite fluorescent long & short UV


 
Inesite with Natrolite

TM47Q3: A radial group of Inesite crystals. They have an intense orange-red color on a group of white crystals of Natrolite with good terminations and on matrix.
N'Chwaning II Mine, Kuruman, Kalahari  South Africa (±1985)

Specimen size: 5 × 3.5 × 4.7 cm = 2.0” × 1.4” × 1.9”

Main crystal size: 1.5 × 1.5 cm = 0.6” × 0.6”


Inesite with Natrolite. Front
Front
Inesite with Natrolite. Top
Top
 
Inesite with Apophyllite-(KOH), Calcite and Prehnite
Inesite with Apophyllite-(KOH), Calcite and Prehnite. Inesite with Apophyllite-(KOH), Calcite and Prehnite.

TP28R6: Spheroidal aggregate of acicular crystals of Inesite of good color, with a very aerial group of tabular crystals of Barite and partially coated by small crystals of Calcite. The crystals are on a base of Prehnite.
N'Chwaning II Mine, Kuruman, Kalahari  South Africa

Specimen size: 5.5 × 5 × 3.2 cm = 2.2” × 2.0” × 1.3”

Main crystal size: 1.1 × 1 cm = 0.4” × 0.4”


 
Inesite with Calcite

TR50Q5: Globular growth of acicular crystals. It has very deep color and small groups of very acute scalenohedral crystals of Calcite.
N'Chwaning II Mine, Kuruman, Kalahari  South Africa

Specimen size: 6.9 × 4.2 × 2.9 cm = 2.7” × 1.7” × 1.1”

Calcite fluorescent long & short UV


Inesite with Calcite. Inesite with Calcite.
 
Rhodochrosite with Manganite
Rhodochrosite with Manganite.

TK98Q3: The crystals of the piece have a very uncommon habit, formed of subparallel polycrystalline aggregates with very well marked color zoning with a clearer strip in the center. They are on Manganite matrix. The sample is from the well known find of 1978.
N'Chwaning I Mine, Kuruman, Kalahari  South Africa (1978)

Specimen size: 2.4 × 1.6 × 1.1 cm = 0.9” × 0.6” × 0.4”

Main crystal size: 1.2 × 1.2 cm = 0.5” × 0.5”


 
Rhodochrosite

TC57Q5: Aggregate of crystals formed by the prism and the faces of flattened rhombohedra on the terminations. Color is intense, very vivid, pink with white zoning and the luster is excellent. The piece has great quality, both front and back.
N'Chwaning II Mine, Kuruman, Kalahari  South Africa

Specimen size: 3.6 × 2.7 × 2.2 cm = 1.4” × 1.1” × 0.9”

Main crystal size: 0.6 × 0.6 cm = 0.2” × 0.2”

Fluorescent long & short UV


Rhodochrosite. Front
Front
Rhodochrosite. Rear
Rear
 
Rhodochrosite with Manganite
Rhodochrosite with Manganite.

TB97Q3: Group of scalenohedral crystal with the exceptional deep red color that has made the Kuruman Rhodochrosite famous. The crystals are very bright and are on Manganite matrix. The sample is from the well known find of 1978.
N'Chwaning I Mine, Kuruman, Kalahari  South Africa (1978)

Specimen size: 2.5 × 1.9 × 1.2 cm = 1.0” × 0.7” × 0.5”

Main crystal size: 1 × 0.4 cm = 0.4” × 0.2”


 
Kutnohorite with Rhodochrosite

EC66R6: Aggregates of divergent sprays of acicular crystals of Kutnohorite epitaxial on Rhodochrosite. The analysis shows the presence of both species, not easily distinguishable with the naked eye.
N'Chwaning II Mine, Kuruman, Kalahari  South Africa (±2005)

Specimen size: 4.3 × 4.2 × 3.1 cm = 1.7” × 1.7” × 1.2”

Main crystal size: 3 × 0.7 cm = 1.2” × 0.3”

With handwritten label from the Desmond Sacco Collection

Fluorescent short UV


Kutnohorite with Rhodochrosite. Kutnohorite with Rhodochrosite.
 
Olmiite with Celestine
Olmiite with Celestine. Olmiite with Celestine.

MH47R6: Globular growths of Olmiite crystals of unusual appearance, with very well defined faces and edges, of clear brown color and very bright. On matrix, with associated acicular crystals of Celestine.
N'Chwaning II Mine, Kuruman, Kalahari  South Africa (±2008)

Specimen size: 8.1 × 4.1 × 3.5 cm = 3.2” × 1.6” × 1.4”

With handwritten label from the Desmond Sacco Collection

Minor fluorescence short UV


 
Hausmannite with Andradite

TQ88R0: Parallel growths of sharp bright pyramids with very well defined faces and edges. They are on a matrix with small crystals of Andradite. More esthetic than usual for the species.
Wessels Mine, Hotazel, Kalahari  South Africa

Specimen size: 5 × 3.8 × 3.5 cm = 2.0” × 1.5” × 1.4”

Main crystal size: 0.8 × 0.7 cm = 0.3” × 0.3”


Hausmannite with Andradite.
 
Rhodochrosite with Tsumcorite and Galena
Rhodochrosite with Tsumcorite and Galena. Rhodochrosite with Tsumcorite and Galena.

TF89Q6: Scalenohedral crystals of Rhodochrosite, very infrequent in Tsumeb, of intense pink color, implanted on a matrix rich of Galena and Yellow crystals of Tsumcorite. We’ll send a copy of the analysis.
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb  Namibia

Specimen size: 4 × 2.7 × 2.2 cm = 1.6” × 1.1” × 0.9”

Main crystal size: 1.1 × 0.6 cm = 0.4” × 0.2”

Minor fluorescence short UV


 
Descloizite with Calcite

TG96Q3: Well known from Berg Aukas, Descloizite is an uncommon species at Tsumeb. The sample, an excellent miniature, is formed by bright aerial crystals of sharp crystals with very well defined faces and edges and on matrix.
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb  Namibia

Specimen size: 4.4 × 2.3 × 1.5 cm = 1.7” × 0.9” × 0.6”

Main crystal size: 1 × 0.7 cm = 0.4” × 0.3”


Descloizite with Calcite. Front
Front
Descloizite with Calcite. Side
Side
 
Rosasite with Calcite
Rosasite with Calcite. Rosasite with Calcite.

TK46Q6: Very bright spheroidal growths of Rosasite. They are translucent and have an extraordinary and surprising very deep blue color and with rhombohedral crystals of Calcite. We’ll send a copy of the analysis.
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb  Namibia

Specimen size: 3.1 × 2.2 × 2.1 cm = 1.2” × 0.9” × 0.8”


 
Wulfenite with Azurite and Dolomite

TR27Q3: Yellow laminar crystals of Wulfenite on a matrix coated by very small crystals of Azurite and rhombohedral crystals of Dolomite.
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb  Namibia

Specimen size: 8 × 3.4 × 2 cm = 3.1” × 1.3” × 0.8”

Main crystal size: 0.8 × 0.5 cm = 0.3” × 0.2”


Wulfenite with Azurite and Dolomite. Wulfenite with Azurite and Dolomite.
 
Willemite
Willemite.

TH27Q6: Translucent spheroidal growths of bluish-green color with acicular crystals of Goethite. We’ll send a copy of the analysis.
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb  Namibia

Specimen size: 2.9 × 1.8 × 1.4 cm = 1.1” × 0.7” × 0.6”

Fluorescence short UV & low fluorescence long UV


 
Willemite

TJ67Q6: Clear green spheroidal growths with very intense silky luster and on matrix. An excellent miniature. We’ll send a copy of the analysis.
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb  Namibia

Specimen size: 2.9 × 2 × 1.9 cm = 1.1” × 0.8” × 0.7”

Fluorescent long & short UV


Willemite.
 
Adamite
Adamite.
Adamite.

TA97Q6: Exceptional for the locality. A group of yellow crystals, some of them doubly terminated. The main crystal, of a big size, has very well defined faces and edges. We’ll send a copy of the analysis.
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb  Namibia

Specimen size: 4.3 × 1.8 × 2.3 cm = 1.7” × 0.7” × 0.9”

Main crystal size: 2.2 × 1.2 cm = 0.9” × 0.5”

Minor fluorescence long & short UV


 
Cuprian Adamite

TV97Q3: Unusually individualized crystals with very well defined faces and edges, some of them doubly terminated, with excellent terminations. On Limonite matrix.
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb  Namibia

Specimen size: 4.3 × 3.2 × 2.9 cm = 1.7” × 1.3” × 1.1”

Main crystal size: 0.6 × 0.3 cm = 0.2” × 0.1”


Cuprian Adamite. Front
Front
Cuprian Adamite. Side
Side
Cuprian Adamite.
 
Cuprian Adamite
Cuprian Adamite. Front
Front
Cuprian Adamite. Rear
Rear

TJ48Q3: Radial group of crystals of exceptional size for Tsumeb. They are very well defined, with excellent terminations and a tabular crystal of Wulfenite on the back. This crystal of Wulfenite has a little damage on an edge but the Adamite is perfect. An excellent miniature.
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb  Namibia

Specimen size: 1.5 × 1.7 × 1.3 cm = 0.6” × 0.7” × 0.5”

Main crystal size: 0.5 × 0.2 cm = 0.2” × 0.1”


 
Gartrellite with Bayldonite and Azurite

TC97Q6: Vivid yellow concertina-shaped growths of the rare species Gartrellite, with Azurite crystals and a group of Bayldonite with very well defined faces and edges which is very rare. We’ll send a copy of the analysis of the Gartrellite and the Bayldonite.
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb  Namibia

Specimen size: 3.4 × 2.1 × 2.1 cm = 1.3” × 0.8” × 0.8”

Main crystal size: 2.2 × 2.2 cm = 0.9” × 0.9”


Gartrellite with Bayldonite and Azurite.
Gartrellite with Bayldonite and Azurite. Gartrellite with Bayldonite and Azurite.
 
Smithsonite
Smithsonite. Front
Front
Smithsonite. Rear
Rear

TD47Q5: Crystal, on matrix, with very well defined faces and edges, unusually elongated for the species and formed by a ditrigonal prism and an acute terminal rhombohedron. We specially note the degree of transparency, rare with Smithsonite crystals.
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb  Namibia

Specimen size: 2.5 × 2.5 × 2 cm = 1.0” × 1.0” × 0.8”

Main crystal size: 1.8 × 0.4 cm = 0.7” × 0.2”


 
Smithsonite

TC28Q3: Very aerial and esthetic group of bright acute rhombohedral crystals with very well defined faces and edges. Their color, deep pink, is really excellent.
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb  Namibia

Specimen size: 3.9 × 3.6 × 1.9 cm = 1.5” × 1.4” × 0.7”

Main crystal size: 1.3 × 0.8 cm = 0.5” × 0.3”


Smithsonite. Front
Front
Smithsonite. Rear
Rear
 
Smithsonite
Smithsonite. Smithsonite.

ML99R8: Crystals of Smithsonite of a considerable size, with the single form of a relatively acute rhombohedron with very well defined faces and edges, and with phantom growths and small red inclusions of Hematite. Crystals are coating a cavernous matrix partially coated by Quartz.
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb  Namibia (1980)

Specimen size: 8.4 × 5.6 × 5.4 cm = 3.3” × 2.2” × 2.1”

Main crystal size: 1.2 × 1.2 cm = 0.5” × 0.5”

With handwritten label from the Desmond Sacco Collection


 
Cuprian Smithsonite

MT27V0: Aerial group of globular aggregates of small crystals that are very bright and have a very intense green color that corresponds to the cuprian variety of this species.
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb  Namibia (1970-1985)

Specimen size: 3.3 × 3.2 × 1.6 cm = 1.3” × 1.3” × 0.6”

With handwritten label from the Desmond Sacco Collection


Cuprian Smithsonite.
 
Cadmium Smithsonite
Cadmium Smithsonite. Cadmium Smithsonite.

ME99V0: Aggregate of acute rhombohedral crystals with very well defined faces and edges, and with neat and very well marked geometrical zoning. They are a very bright and with very intense yellow color that corresponds to the cadmian variety of this species.
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb  Namibia (1970-1985)

Specimen size: 5.1 × 4.4 × 4 cm = 2.0” × 1.7” × 1.6”

Main crystal size: 1 × 0.8 cm = 0.4” × 0.3”

With handwritten label from the Desmond Sacco Collection


 
Mimetite with Pyrite

TA97Q3: Esthetic group of crystals, some of them doubly terminated, with excellent deep yellow color and good luster and transparency and placed on a matrix rich of Pyrite.
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb  Namibia

Specimen size: 3.2 × 2.2 × 1.9 cm = 1.3” × 0.9” × 0.7”

Main crystal size: 1.4 × 0.3 cm = 0.6” × 0.1”


Mimetite with Pyrite. Mimetite with Pyrite.
 
Mimetite
Mimetite. Mimetite.

MP50T7: Unusual spheroidal growths, on a limonite matrix, with a very intense yellow color. They look like the Mimetite from San Pedro Corralitos, Mιxico. The sample, according to Desmond Sacco is from one of the first finds of this secondary species in the oxidation zone at Tsumeb, during the first days of its exploitation.
With a handwritten Sacco collection label, that we’ll send to the buyer.
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb  Namibia

Specimen size: 8.6 × 6.9 × 3.4 cm = 3.4” × 2.7” × 1.3”

Main crystal size: 0.4 × 0.3 cm = 0.2” × 0.1”

With handwritten label from the Desmond Sacco Collection


 
Cerussite with Dioptase

TF47Q3: Group of twinned crystals of Cerussite with very well defined faces and edges. It is very bright, transparent, with a very nice smoky color and is on a matrix with doubly terminated crystals of Dioptase. An excellent, very uncommon, association.
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb  Namibia

Specimen size: 2.9 × 1.6 × 1.4 cm = 1.1” × 0.6” × 0.6”

Minor fluorescence short UV


Cerussite with Dioptase.
 
Anglesite with Galena
Anglesite with Galena. Front
Front
Anglesite with Galena. Rear
Rear

TF28Q5: Parallel growths of crystals with very well defined faces and edges, a bluish-gray color, and implanted on a small matrix. We note the quality of the crystals due to the locality, in which the Anglesite is well known but, at the same time, scarce.
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb  Namibia

Specimen size: 4.2 × 2.2 × 2 cm = 1.7” × 0.9” × 0.8”

Main crystal size: 3.5 × 1.5 cm = 1.4” × 0.6”


 
Dioptase with Calcite

TF47Q5: Group of crystals on matrix, some of them doubly terminated, with very well defined faces and edges. Furthermore, they have excellent luster and color.
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb  Namibia

Specimen size: 3.4 × 2.9 × 1.9 cm = 1.3” × 1.1” × 0.7”

Main crystal size: 0.9 × 0.3 cm = 0.4” × 0.1”

Calcite fluorescent long & short UV


Dioptase with Calcite. Front
Front
Dioptase with Calcite. Rear
Rear
 
Dioptase
Dioptase. Front
Front
Dioptase. Rear
Rear

TM97Q3: Group of crystals of a considerable size for the species. Some of them are doubly terminated and they all have very well defined faces and edges. Color and luster are excellent.
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb  Namibia

Specimen size: 2.2 × 2.6 × 1.6 cm = 0.9” × 1.0” × 0.6”

Main crystal size: 1.9 × 0.9 cm = 0.7” × 0.4”


 
Dioptase with Calcite

TG68R0: Group of crystals of Dioptase with very well defined faces and edges, one of them clearly dominant and of a considerable size for the species. The group is on matrix with small white Calcite crystals.
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb  Namibia

Specimen size: 3.4 × 2.9 × 2.8 cm = 1.3” × 1.1” × 1.1”

Main crystal size: 2 × 1 cm = 0.8” × 0.4”


Dioptase with Calcite.
 
Dioptase
Dioptase. Front
Front
Dioptase. Top
Top

MK16R6: Magnificent group, on matrix, of sharp crystals, one of them clearly dominant and very large for the species. The crystals have very uniform and deep color and are very bright.
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb  Namibia

Specimen size: 3.7 × 3.2 × 2.3 cm = 1.5” × 1.3” × 0.9”

Main crystal size: 2 × 2 cm = 0.8” × 0.8”

With handwritten label from the Desmond Sacco Collection


 
Calcite with Duftite

TR46Q3: Very aerial group of very well defined rhombohedral crystals with a lot of their edges fringed by green globular growths of Duftite.
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb  Namibia

Specimen size: 3.2 × 2.2 × 2.2 cm = 1.3” × 0.9” × 0.9”

Main crystal size: 1.3 × 1 cm = 0.5” × 0.4”

Fluorescence short UV & low fluorescence long UV


Calcite with Duftite. Front
Front
Calcite with Duftite. Rear
Rear
 
Copper with Calcite
Copper with Calcite.

TH26Q3: Very aerial dendritic growth of cubic crystals, some of them sharp and with very well defined faces and edges, with a transparent rhombohedral crystal of Calcite crowning the piece.
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb  Namibia

Specimen size: 2.2 × 2.2 × 2.1 cm = 0.9” × 0.9” × 0.8”

Main crystal size: 0.3 × 0.2 cm = 0.1” × 0.1”

Calcite fluorescent short UV


 
Cuprite with Calcite

TA86Q3: Isolated and grouped octahedral crystals of Cuprite, sharp and with very well defined faces and edges, translucent and deep red colored and on Calcite matrix.
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb  Namibia

Specimen size: 3.4 × 2.5 × 1.3 cm = 1.3” × 1.0” × 0.5”

Main crystal size: 0.5 × 0.4 cm = 0.2” × 0.2”

Calcite with fluorescence short UV & low fluorescence long UV


Cuprite with Calcite. Cuprite with Calcite.
 
Cuprite with Malachite
Cuprite with Malachite. Front
Front
Cuprite with Malachite. Rear
Rear

TC27Q5: Group of dodecahedral crystals with very well defined faces and edges, with thin coatings of Malachite on some areas of the crystals and deep red transparency under a strong light.
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb  Namibia

Specimen size: 2.4 × 1.4 × 1.3 cm = 0.9” × 0.6” × 0.5”

Main crystal size: 1.7 × 1.4 cm = 0.7” × 0.6”


 
Malachite after Azurite with Cerussite

TM14R0: Group of Malachite crystals pseudomorphous after Azurite, one of them clearly dominant, partially doubly terminated and with very well defined faces and edges, some of them selectively coated by small crystals of Cerussite.
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb  Namibia

Specimen size: 2.6 × 2.3 × 2.4 cm = 1.0” × 0.9” × 0.9”

Main crystal size: 1.3 × 0.7 cm = 0.5” × 0.3”


Malachite after Azurite with Cerussite.
 
Malachite with Calcite
Malachite with Calcite. Malachite with Calcite.

TZ27Q3: Globular felted growths, well known as “velvet”, on matrix. They have a very vivid color and are on a matrix rich of Calcite.
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb  Namibia

Specimen size: 5.7 × 4.3 × 1.9 cm = 2.2” × 1.7” × 0.7”

Main crystal size: 0.7 × 0.7 cm = 0.3” × 0.3”


 
Malachite after Azurite with Duftite

TM68Q3: Group of thick prismatic crystals pseudomorphic after Azurite and coated, on the surface of the crystal faces, by silky fibrous recrystallizations, some of them forming fanlike groups. On matrix and with yellowish-green Duftite.
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb  Namibia

Specimen size: 4 × 5.4 × 3.5 cm = 1.6” × 2.1” × 1.4”

Main crystal size: 3.6 × 3.2 cm = 1.4” × 1.3”


Malachite after Azurite with Duftite. Front
Front
Malachite after Azurite with Duftite. Side
Side
 
Azurite with Malachite and Quartz
Azurite with Malachite and Quartz. Azurite with Malachite and Quartz.

TQ91Q3: The sample is from the famous Easter Pocket, found in 1994. It has sharp Azurite crystals with very well defined faces and edges. The crystals are translucent and have vivid indigo blue reflections. On matrix, with Malachite and Quartz.
Easter Pocket, 8 level, Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb  Namibia (1994)

Specimen size: 6.4 × 4.9 × 3.2 cm = 2.5” × 1.9” × 1.3”

Main crystal size: 1.5 × 1.2 cm = 0.6” × 0.5”


 
Azurite

MJ50R8: Group of slightly elongated lenticular crystals of intense and vivid blue color and translucent edges. The piece is a real rarity, coming from a very unknown mine.
Tschudi mine, Otavi, Otjozondjupa  Namibia (±2007)

Specimen size: 4.6 × 3.3 × 2.7 cm = 1.8” × 1.3” × 1.1”

Main crystal size: 0.5 × 0.4 cm = 0.2” × 0.2”

With handwritten label from the Desmond Sacco Collection


Azurite. Front
Front
Azurite. Rear
Rear
 



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