JH20069 Altered Tarbuttite & Slow-to-Glow Hemimorphite, Skorpion Mine, Namibia

Description

Up for bid is nice sized specimen of Altered Tarbuttite sprinkled with “Slow-to-Glow” Hemimorphite from the Skorpion mine in Namibia.
The surface of the specimen is covered in fan shaped Tarbuttite crystals. My research indicates these have probably altered to Fluorapatite, but It is hard to tell since the Apatite is covered with a thin coating of something. The coating is thin enough that all the beautiful detail of the Tarbuttite crystals is preserved. The coating fluoresces Green SW and MW.
These altered and coated Tarbuttite crystals are then sprinkled with “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 see the fluorescence and about 15 to 30 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: Tarbuttite altered to Fluorapatite (FL Green SW, MW), Hemimorphite crystals (NF)
Location: Skorpion Mine, Rosh Pinah, Luderitz District, Karas Region, Namibia
Size: 3.7" x 2.3" x 2"
Weight: 8.4 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.
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