Cuprosklodowskite, Sklodowskite, Malachite: Musonoi mine, Kolwezi, Mutshatsha, Lualaba, DR Congo

Description

Species: Cuprosklodowskite, Sklodowskite, Malachite

Locality: Musonoi mine, Kolwezi, Mutshatsha, Lualaba, DR Congo

Size: 4.1 x 2.1 x 4.4 cm. (~86 grams)

Ex. Henri Vandormael Collection

A gorgeous specimen of well-formed neon-green cuprosklodowskite crystal “tufts” with epitaxial(?) yellow sklodowskite crystal tips on a matrix of dark green malachite and minor yellow uranophane from the famous Musonoi mine, Kolwezi, DR Congo. This is a great specimen for this rare uranium species, from the noted collection of Henri Vandormael, former mine geologist at the Musonoi mine and other Congolese mines for the Union Miniere Haut Katanga (UMHK) company in the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s. This was later in the collection of noted uranium mineral specialist Eric Quinter. Good crystallized uranium minerals from Musonoi are very hard to come by these days and this is a great specimen with a superb provenance.