Azurite (w. malachite after azurite)

TSNB999
Specimen
Schöler, A.Sussman, M.
Exhibit 1. Azurite (w. malachite after azurite); 105 mm.
Exhibit 1. Azurite (w. malachite after azurite); 105 mm.
Image Credit: Malcolm Southwood
Exhibit 2. Azurite (w. malachite after azurite); 105 mm.
Exhibit 2. Azurite (w. malachite after azurite); 105 mm.
Image Credit: Malcolm Southwood
Exhibit 3. Azurite (w. malachite after azurite); 105 mm.
Exhibit 3. Azurite (w. malachite after azurite); 105 mm.
Image Credit: Malcolm Southwood
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Specimen Title

Azurite (w. malachite after azurite)

Associated Minerals

malachite

Principal Mineral

Azurite

Precursor Mineral

Azurite

Size

Cabinet; 105mm

Location in the Mine

Second oxidation zone; 35 Level; No. 2 Sublevel; North West Stope; Perkins Sams Pocket

Provenance

Sussman, M.; Schöler, A.

Collection

Southwood, M.; MS2012.004

Entry Number

Specimen; TSNB999

Description

A sharp, prismatic crystal of azurite, almost completely replaced by malachite; only a thin veneer of the original azurite remains on some of the faces.

The specimen is from the so-called Perkins Sams Pocket, which was discovered deep in the second oxidation zone in 1980.  According to the mine captain in charge of that section of the mine, the exact location was 35 Level, Number 2 Sublevel, North West Stope (Ludger Krahn, pers. comm. to M. Southwood, 2015).  American dealer Charlie Key partnered with Texas oilman Perkins Sams to finance the purchase of almost the entire pocket from Namibian dealer Sid Pieters (Southwood 2022). This specimen was acquired from Armin Schöler in 2012; it belonged formerly to Marshall Sussman. 

The azurite crystals in the Perkins Sams Pocket grew in the voids between slightly iron-stained siliceous breccia shards. Most of the crystals are equant and blocky; tapering prisms (like this specimen) are much less common.  
 
Compare with TSNB1000.