Description: Up for bid is a Tarbuttite, Hemimorphite and Quartz specimen from the Skorpion Mine in Namibia. The mineralogy of these specimens is very complex. Here is my best guess at what is going on: (Please see close up picture) The Quartz was the first mineral deposited and covers the specimen with tiny clear crystals. The Quartz, or something underneath it, fluoresces a dim Green under SW UV. (See last picture) The Tarbuttite was the second mineral deposited. Most of the Tarbuttite on this specimen is in a small cluster of crystals on the lower right of the specimen. This Tarbuttite has altered to Fluorapatite which is non-fluorescent. The Fluorapatite was covered with a light coating of another mineral that has a light Blue-Green color under white light and fluoresces dim Green SW and MW. (See last picture) Hemimorphite was the third mineral deposited and takes the form of White Crystal clusters. These formed on top of the Tarbuttite and other locations on the specimen. The Hemimorphite is nonfluorescent. At the time I bought this specimen, no one in Africa was selling fluorescent specimens so I had to buy daylight specimens and hope. Most the time I was lucky, but got stuck with several disappointing fluorescent specimens. My loss is the daylight collector�s gain! I am starting the auction at less than I paid for the specimen. The Skorpion Mine is the 8th largest Zinc mine in the world and is unique in several ways. It is one of the few Zinc deposits that is composed almost exclusively of Zinc Silicates like Sauconite (Formula: Na0.3Zn3(SiAl)4O10(OH)2�4H2O) and Hemimorphite (Formula: Zn4(Si2O7)(OH)2�H2O) and Zinc Carbonates like Smithsonite (Formula: ZnCO3) and Hydrozincite (Formula: Zn5(CO3)2(OH)6). Most other Zinc deposits contain Zinc Sulfides like Sphalerite (Formula: (Zn, Fe)S). The Skorpion mine is also the only zinc processing facility to use solvent extraction-electrowinning metallurgy to process and refine its zinc products (others use conventional smelting and roasting). The combination of Zinc Silicate and Zinc Carbonate ores and the extraction-electrowinning process allow Skorpion to sell a Special High Grade (SHG), ultra-pure zinc product, which is so low in impurities that it commands a premium price. Description: Tarbuttite altered to Apatite (FL Dim Green SW, MW), Hemimorphite (NF), Quartz Matrix (FL Dim Green SW) Location: Skorpion Mine, Rosh Pinah, Luderitz District, Karas Region, Namibia Size: 3.8" x 2" x 1.5" Weight: 7 oz Contact me if you have any questions. Be sure to check out my eBay store: Jim's Obscure Stuff for more fluorescent minerals and other unusual items. Domestic Shipping For domestic shipping I generally use Fed Exp Ground for heavier and more expensive items, and US Postal Service Priority Mail for lighter and less expensive items. Both services have door to door tracking and full insurance. If you have a shipping preference please let me know. If the shipping service I use costs less than eBay charges, I will refund any excess. I only charge actual shipping costs with no extra charges for packing or shipping materials and will gladly combine shipments. If the combined shipping doesn�t work for some reason, I will refund any excess shipping. International Shipping I use US Postal Service Priority mail for all international shipments. Please note that due to a lack of international flights, many overseas shipments are going by boat instead of air. This can add a month or more to delivery times. Purchase at your own risk.
Price: 42.5 USD
Location: Woodland Hills, California
End Time: 2024-12-25T08:48:45.000Z
Shipping Cost: N/A USD
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Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: No
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 14 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
