Azurite on Cerussite

Updated

08/12/22
Read time

2 minutes

This beautiful specimen contains the largest Broken Hill azurite crystal in our collection. Azurite (copper hydroxy-carbonate) was typical of copper carbonate minerals of the oxidised zone of the Broken Hill orebody, but not many of this size were found.

Specimen details

Origin

BHP Block 14 Mine, Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia
Size

12 x 10 x 7 cm, Azurite crystal 8.5 cm
Date

Registered 1933
Collection number

D.32899
On display

Richard Eustice Collection

This crystal sits dramatically on a matrix of crystalline cerussite. The specimen was purchased from Mrs R Eustice in 1933. It was part of the Richard Eustice Collection of 450 specimens. Richard Eustice was a Cornishman who worked as a mine surveyor at Wallaroo, Moonta and Burra mines in South Australia, but later moved to Broken Hill. His interest in minerals led to a fine collection of South Australian and Broken Hill minerals. After his death in 1933, his collection was purchased from his widow.