Ludlockite. Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia. ...

Description

Ludlockite
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia

"Two reddish orange somewhat divergent sprays about 15mm long growing into a piece of matrix. Bought the specimen from George Holloway. The scale under the specimen is an inch with a rule at one cm."
- Rock H. Currier

Of all the minerals to come from Tsumeb, only Andyrobertsite and Ludlockite can
claim serious rarity as species. The original 'find' in 1969, was a single 'lump' of ore, chiefly Tennantite and Chalcocite, first spotted by F. Ludlow Smith III and his partner in mineral mayhem: Charles Locke Key. The lump was taken to England and, in the presence of BMNH Curator Peter Embrey, the lump was broken open to reveal reddish-brown needles of what was later named "Ludlockite". Needles up to 4 cm were inside a cavity in that lump. Small amounts were later found on the 44 Level, but the original find was the one, and the only one. This double spray was from that find and also has the 'lump' matrix.
Overall Measurements: 0.8 x 0.6 x 0.5 inches (2.1 x 1.5 x 1.2 cm)
Offered at no reserve

Provenance: Ex. George Holloway Collection [RHC #5702, acquired 1990]
MinID F7W-20X

[Scale: 1 inch, with mark at 1 cm]

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