JH19541.1 Chalcedony with “Slow-to-Glow” Hemimorphite, Skorpion Mine, Namibia

Description

Up for bid is a specimen of Chalcedony sprinkled with “Slow-to-Glow” Hemimorphite from the Skorpion mine in Namibia.
The chalcedony seems to be coating another mineral but no idea what that mineral is. The Chalcedony fluoresces Green, probably due to uranium activation. The Chalcedony is sprinkled with several “Slow-to-Glow” Hemimorphite crystals. These fluoresce White under SW UV but not right away! You need to shine the SW UV light on them for several seconds to reach full brightness.
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: Chalcedony (FL Green SW), Hemimorphite (FL White after 1-3 Sec Charging Time)
Location: Skorpion Mine, Rosh Pinah, Luderitz District, Karas Region, Namibia
Size: 1.5" x 1.3" x 0.5"
Weight: 0.4 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.
Domestic Shipping
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International Shipping
I use US Postal Service Priority mail for all international shipments. Please note that due to a lack of international flights, many overseas shipments are going by boat instead of air. This can add a month or more to delivery times. Purchase at your own risk.