Balydonite Pseudomorph after Mimetite, Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia

Size: 7.8x5.2x3.8cm

Mineral: Balydonite Pseudomorph after Mimetite with Minor Malachite, Azurite, Rosasite

Locality: Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia

Description: These historical pieces are extremely hard to find and this is a high quality and good sized example. These pseudomorphs were found in the first oxidation zone in the early 1900’s. The mimetite pseudomorphs were confined to the first 100 meters of the first oxide zone. A unique feature of these specimens is that when you look at the center of the crystals, you can see they are hollow. This is where the mimetite would have previously existed. Several other finds of balydonite were made later in the life of the mine, but as often happens with mineral specimens, non matched the quality of the first find. These specimens are more than 100 years old and extremely hard to acquire. They have to come through old collections, this example was formerly in the collections of Bill Pinch, Chris Amo, and Blain Bard

ID: 23307