LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2008 January Signature Natural History #5000  / 

48279

Conichalcite with Calcite

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Rocks, Fossils & Minerals Start Price:5,000.00 USD Estimated At:6,500.00 - 7,500.00 USD
Conichalcite with Calcite
<B>CONICHALCITE WITH CALCITE</B></I><BR> <I>Mammoth Mine, Tintic District, East Tintic Mountains, Juab County, Utah</B></I><BR>Producing more dollar-wise than the Comstock Lode; the Tintic District of Central Utah is almost unknown outside of the area. The primary reason for this was its discovery fairly early in the 1860's when records were not kept all that well. In addition, this was around the time when the Mormon pioneers were considering secession from the Union. This activity and the armed Federal response to it tended to overshadow local events. The few specimens that were saved from the crushers are highly prized historic specimens today. Many, such as this example of conichalcite are fine examples in their own right. The genesis and early history of this specimen are as follow: iron sulfide ore minerals break down and form the golden-orange 'jack-straw' goethite core minerals. Copper bearing water deposits the pistachio green conichalcite. A further shift in chemistry causes calcium in the surrounding water to crystallize out. Miners show up. Maynard Bixby (the foremost early collector of Utah minerals) buys specimen. The Field Museum of Natural History buys it from Bixby. There it languishes for many years until traded out. It measures 8 x 5 x 1 ¾ inches. Ex Bixby Collection, Ex Field Museum of Natural History (Chicago), Ex David Crawford (Dealer), Ex Ed David collection.<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Requires 3rd Party Shipping (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
Sign In to Bookmark Lot