Description

Nice sample of chalcolite, better known as torbernite, showing apple green crystals sprinkled over a gneissic gangue.
This specimen comes from the Gunnislake mines in Cornwall.
The exploitation of this mining sector, one of the most important in Europe at the time, dates back to the Victorian era and up to 7000 miners were employed there. These mines are no longer in operation today.
This specimen is from the mineral collection of Deyrolle, a former naturalist dealer in Paris. It comes with its original label, which dates from the 1950s/1970s.

This post is also available in: French