VTs-052
Malachite partially pseudomorphing after Azurite - $600 (SOLD)

A highly aesthetic and downright gorgeous miniature display specimen of this highly sought after and celebrated material from Tsumeb. The piece is comprised of a few razor-sharp, highly lustrous (wet looking), deep indigo blue, slightly gemmy, sword-shaped crystals of Azurite which are partially altering/pseudomorphing to velvety green Malachite. The main crystal has a “rub” on the termination, but it does hide when the piece is tilted back for display. If the specimen were 100% perfect, I can only guess what the price would be, but do not discount it because the piece is still in excellent condition overall. One of my favorite pieces in this update for sure.

Locality: Tsumeb mine, Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region, Namibia

Specimen Size: 3.8 x 2.7 x 2.2 cm.

Largest Pseudomorph: 3.5 cm.
Ex – Rob Smith Collection

To order this specimen click here

VTs-058
Willemite casts after Azurite ! - $(SOLD)

Wow ! How often does one see this replacement in the mineral world ? This piece is comprised of gemmy blue-green to white crystals of Willemite forming hollow casts (sometimes called epimorphs) after preexisting Azurite crystals on gossan matrix. I honestly had heard of these specimens previously, but now that I have seen one, I love ‘em.  The piece came from mineral legend, Ed Swoboda, who provided another very interesting replacement specimen in this update (see specimen #VTs-060). A very cool mineral specimen to be sure, and where is but Tsumeb could one find a piece like this ?!

Locality: Tsumeb mine, Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region, Namibia

Specimen Size: 6.8 x 4.8 x 2.8 cm.
Ex – Rob Smith Collection
Ex – Ed Swoboda Collection

To order this specimen click here

VTs-064
Malachite pseudomorph after Azurite - $200

This specimen is a classic example of the well known and highly sought after pseudomorphs of Malachite after Azurite. This cabinet size specimen features a few sharp, blocky, well-formed, isolated minty green color crystals which are sitting on a gossan-esque matrix with minor Calcite rhombs. The pseudomorphs are in great condition, and truly the piece looks better in person than the photos might indicate.

Locality: Tsumeb mine, Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region, Namibia

Specimen Size: 9.5 x 7.0 x 4.0 cm.

Largest Pseudomorph: 2.2 cm.
Ex – Rob Smith Collection

To order this specimen click here

VTs-066
Dolomite Cast after ? - $50 (SOLD)

As many of you know, I’m a fan of casts of any kind. This particular cast is unique in my experience as I have not quite seen anything like it. I have seen lots of casts from Tsumeb, but this one is different because it appears to be a multi-generational cast. It appears that the Dolomite may have formed a cast around Calcite or possibly Quartz, but it clearly looks like a second generation of Dolomite formed on or around the cast creating and multi-layered formation. Not a pricey piece, and very cool to be sure.

Locality: Tsumeb mine, Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region, Namibia

Specimen Size: 9.5 x 7.7 x 4.6 cm.
Ex – Rob Smith Collection

To order this specimen click here

VTs-075
Tennantite pseudomorph after Azurite - $750

Without a doubt these are some of my favorite pseudomorphs from Tsumeb. I’m a big fan of all the replacements that occur from this mine, but these specimens in particular are especially interesting to me. This excellent quality, full miniature features a few good sized pseudomorphs of Tennantite after Azurite forming a diverging, colorful and sculptural display specimen. I believe that the blue-green color is a mix of Malachite and Rosasite. One does not often find these amazing and incredibly rare pseudomorphs on the market anymore, so do not miss out on this excellent example of this material.

Locality: Tsumeb mine, Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region, Namibia

Specimen Size: 5.0 x 4.5 x 2.3 cm.
Ex – Rob Smith Collection

To order this specimen click here

VTs-081
Tennantite pseudomorph after Azurite - (SOLD)

Without a doubt these are some of my favorite pseudomorphs from Tsumeb. I’m a big fan of all the replacements that occur from this mine, but these specimens in particular are especially interesting to me. This excellent quality, cabinet features a several, rather large pseudomorphs of Tennantite after Azurite forming a diverging, colorful and three-dimensional display specimen with great aesthetics. There appears to be associated light blue Rosasite and green Malachite on the piece as well. One does not often find these amazing and incredibly rare pseudomorphs on the market anymore, so do not miss out on this excellent example of this material.

Locality: Tsumeb mine, Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region, Namibia

Specimen Size: 9.6 x 7.8 x 7.0 cm.
Ex – Rob Smith Collection

To order this specimen click here

VTs-076
Azurite partially pseudomorphing to Malachite - $1650

This specimen is a rather aesthetic, example of the well known and highly sought after pseudomorphs of Malachite after Azurite. This cabinet size specimen features a few sharp, well-formed, lustrous, deep navy blue, sword-shaped crystals of Azurite which are partially pseudomorphing to rich emerald green Malachite. It is not the easiest specimen to photograph, but it truly is more attractive than the photos show. One of the crystals towards the base is broken, which is the only thing keeping this from being an expensive rock, but my eyes are drawn to the bigger crystals at the top of the piece and the damage does not bother me.

Locality: Tsumeb mine, Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region, Namibia

Specimen Size: 9.5 x 6.4 x 6.4 cm.

Largest Crystal: 4.2 cm.
Ex – Rob Smith Collection

To order this specimen click here

VTs-078
Dolomite pseudomorph after Tennantite - $200 (SOLD)

This is a shapely and nice-looking pseudomorph of brownish-tan Dolomite pseudomorphing Tennantite. The crystals have maintained their textbook tetrahedral shape, and some look as sharp as the day they formed. This is a pretty specimen for a fan of these interesting replacement specimens.

Locality: Tsumeb mine, Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region, Namibia

Specimen Size: 8.2 x 8.1 x 7.8 cm.

Largest Pseudomorph: 1.0 cm.
Ex – Rob Smith Collection

To order this specimen click here

VTs-034
Wulfenite and Duftite on Dolomite cast - $1500 (SOLD)

What a beautiful display piece of Tsumeb Wulfenite.  This cabinet size piece features dozens of light yellow, translucent, tabular Wulfenite “windows” associated with light and dark green Duftite sitting on a pink rhombic Dolomite cast.  There are actually Wulfenite crystals on both sides of the specimen giving more of an insight to the paragenesis of the piece.  The large majority of the Wulfenite crystals are pristine and very good-looking.  An unusual combination specimen and a great quality Tsumeb Wulfenite to be sure.

Locality:  Tsumeb mine, Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region, Namibia

Specimen Size: 12.2 x 7.7 x 4.6 cm.
Ex – Rob Smith Collection

 

To order this specimen click here

VTs-053
Mimetite cast after Cerussite - $500 (SOLD)

One of rarely seen pseudomorphs (truly casts) of Mimetite after Cerussite from Tsumeb. The Mimetite crystals on this specimen range from a light straw yellow color to rich, almost orangey color in hue. They have formed hollow crystal cavities (i.e., casts or epimorphs) after Cerussite that has long dissolved away. You do not see many of these specimens on the market anymore, and they are among some of the more interesting replacement specimens from Tsumeb period.

Locality: Tsumeb mine, Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region, Namibia

Specimen Size: 7.3 x 5.8 x 3.6 cm.
Ex – Rob Smith Collection
Ex – Mrs. Schatz Collection of the Tsumeb Museum
Ex – Mineral Kingdom (Zweibel) specimen

To order this specimen click here