copper (w. calcite and mimetite)

TSNB780
Specimen
KummelPalache, C.
Exhibit 1. Copper (w. calcite and mimetite); 97 mm.
Exhibit 1. Copper (w. calcite and mimetite); 97 mm.
Image Credit: Malcolm Southwood
Exhibit 2. Specimen label (Shaler Memorial Expedition).
Exhibit 2. Specimen label (Shaler Memorial Expedition).
Image Credit: MGMH Archive
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Specimen Title

copper (w. calcite and mimetite)

Associated Minerals

calcite; cuprite; mimetite

Principal Mineral

Copper

Size

Cabinet; 97mm

Location in the Mine

First oxidation zone; 6 Level; West

Provenance

Kummel; Palache, C.

Collection

MGMH; 146270

Entry Number

Specimen; TSNB780

Description

A mass of dendritic, hackly native copper extensively overgrown by colourless calcite and a soft cream-coloured clay mineral (?). Cuprite occurs very sparsely, as tiny aggregates of acicular chalcotrichite and very occasionally as inclusions in calcite. Crystals of colourless but very lustrous mimetite (to 3 mm), many of them double terminated, are abundant throughout the specimen.


The specimen was presented to Charles Palache on 6 April 1922, during his visit to Tsumeb at the time of the Shaler Memorial Exhibition to South Africa. It is accompanied by a Shaler Expedition label (Exhibit 2) which reads "Native copper in calcite. Gift of Kummel. 6 Level W."