Pyromorphite- Daoping mine area, Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang, China

Description

Species: Pyromorphite

Locality: Daoping mine area, Gongchen County, Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang Province, China

Dimensions: 4.5 x 3 x 3 cm.

Southern China’s Daoping-Yangshuo orebody has produced some of the world’s finest pyromorphite crystals for over twenty-five years. In recent years, however, there have been very few new finds, and most great specimens are from finds in the early 2000’s. Recently, a small artisinal mine in the Daoping mine area has begun producing outstanding pyromorphite specimens, featuring large, complex crystals in a variety of styles. The color of these new pyromorphites is striking, ranging from a vivid grass-green to yellow green to yellow, and often very reminiscent of classic specimens from Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, or Bad Ems Germany, or sometimes classic Bunker Hill mine Idaho pyromorphite. This choice miniature features large, hoppered, lustrous green crystals to 1.5 cm., forming an aesthetic, undamaged cluster. Aesthetic! Mark Cross photo.