Linarite

This is one of the best linarite specimens in existence. Its chemical composition is lead, copper hydroxy- sulphate. The crystal sizes, up to 2.5 cm, are exceptional for this species. Although first spotted by collector Wayne Thompson, it was extracted by collectors Lee Bridges and Bob Dryer in 1971 and traded back to Wayne. For more than a year, Wayne and his colleagues discussed ways of trimming this specimen, but linarite is fragile and the matrix was hard and none of the more sophisticated rock trimmers and saws were available in the early 1970s. Albert Chapman acquired the specimen from Wayne Thompson at the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show in the USA in 1975. Albert traded a Tasmanian crocoite specimen with terminated crystals in exchange for the linarite.

When Albert first acquired this specimen, the crystal cavity was partially obscured by a thin capping of rock. He took a risk in deciding to remove some of the rock capping to reveal what was underneath. He carefully positioned a small chisel and gave it a gentle tap, and the capping came off cleanly, revealing a magnificent crystal-lined cavity with huge linarite crystals.