Ludlockite: Tsumeb mine, Tsumeb, Namibia

Description

Species: Ludlockite, Tennantite

Locality: Tsumeb mine, Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia

Dimensions: 4 x 2.5 x 1.8 cm.

RESERVED

Ludlockite, a lead iron arsenate species, is named for Frederick Ludlow Smith III and Charles Locke Key, mineral dealers who discovered this rare species and provided the first specimens for study. It is one of the real “hen’s teeth” minerals for Tsumeb, and a mineral any collector of Tsumeb minerals or rare species in general has to have a good example of. There have only been a few finds of this rare mineral, and this fine example is from the 1986 discovery. It features accicular bundles of well-formed, dark red ludlockite crystals to ~1.2 cm. on massive tennantite ore matrix, with good coverage and crystals on all sides of the matrix. This fine specimen was in the collection of D. Kim Cathhart and later in the Alex Neufeld Collection. It comes with a whole bundle of lables documenting it’s journey over the years through the hands of various collectors and dealers. Comes with an engraved lucite display base. A chance to acquire a good example of a real Tsumeb rarity! Annette Slade photo.