A very large and colourful specimen from the Shinkolobwe mine. The yellow mineral used to be called Ianthinite but since the discovery in the 1950’s has turned into Epiianthinite; which is, in fact, now realized to be the same species as previously known Schoepite. It is a sort of pseudomorph because the crystal habit of the Ianthinite can still be seen (the change occurred after the specimen was recovered, post-mining). Associated is also a 10 mm large cluster of red Curite crystals nicely nestled in the yellow Epiianthinite. It is beautiful. A very heavy specimen due to the matrix consisting of pure Uraninite. Shinkolobwe is the type locality for the Schoepite and the Curite, a mine closed since decades. It used to be on display at the Carnegie Museum, just because of the gorgeous colour mix. This specimen was removed from the display in the early 1990's because it was considered "too hot" and sold to now-deceased dealer Gilbert Gauthier. Before it went to Carnegie, it came from the famous dealer Dr. F. Krantz, in Bonn. Type Locality for both species.
Fundort: Shinkolobwe Mine (Kasolo Mine), Shinkolobwe, Central area, Katanga Copper Crescent, Katanga, Demokratische Republik Kongo (Fundort bei mindat.org)
Größe: 14.0 x 10.0 x 7.2 cm.
Date
before March 2010
date QS:P,+2010-03-00T00:00:00Z/7,P1326,+2010-03-00T00:00:00Z/10
Attribution: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0
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