JH17496 Altered Tarbuttite, Hemimorphite, Skorpion Mine, Namibia

Description

Up for bid is a Specimen from the Skorpion Mine in Namibia that illustrates the complex mineralogical changes this location is famous for. This specimen started out as Tarbuttite. This altered to Fluorapatite. I think the pure Fluorapatite is daylight white and nonfluorescent. However this specimen picked up traces of copper that give it a Green-Blue color in daylight, and traces of uranium that give it a Green fluorescence under SW UV. The Fluorapatite was then covered with a layer of Hemimorphite. This first generation of Hemimorphite fluoresces Yellow-Green but only in the tips of the crystals. On top of this is another generation of Hemimorphite crystals. This second generation fluoresces White but only in the tips of the crystals. The only way to really see all this is to look at the close up picture.
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 Skoprion 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 Fluorapatite (FL Green SW, MW), 1st Generation Hemimorphite (FL Yellow-Green in tips of crystals only), 2nd Generation Hemimorphite (FL White in tips of cystals only)
Location: Skorpion Mine, Rosh Pinah, Luderitz District, Karas Region, Namibia
Size: 1.9" x 1.3" x 0.9"
Weight: 0.9 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.
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