CLASSIC WULFENITE. ...

Description

CLASSIC WULFENITE
Erupción Mine, Los Lamentos Mts, Mun. de Ahumada, Chihuahua, Mexico
Wulfenite is a mainstay of any self-respecting mineral collection. There is enough variation in color and habit to keep the interest level high. When a fine example has an excellent pedigree; so much the better. This caramel orange confection first saw daylight in 1949. It was purchased with USNM/Roebling Collection funds and resided for a number of years in the Smithsonian. In a purge of duplicate specimens, it was de-accessioned and ended up with German dealer Helmut Bruckner. Dr. Rausch purchased it from Herr Bruckner at a Nuremburg show. The sizable (7 inches long) matrix specimen is sprinkled with orange pseudo-cubic crystals that look very much like the caramel candies given out on Halloween. Besides the fetching color, the Wulfenites display excellent luster and freedom from the kind of unsightly damage that commonly afflicts examples from this locality. A custom base is included. Overall specimen measurements are 7 x 3 1/4 x 2 1/2 inches with individual crystals to 3/4 of an inch.

Provenance: Smithsonian Museum; M. Rausch Collection.

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