Stolzite

  • Updated
    08/12/22
  • Read time
    2 minutes
Stolzite D.19704 Click to enlarge image
Stolzite D.19704 Proprietary Mine Broken Hill New South Wales Australia 9 x 8 x 6 cm Crystals to 2 cm Registered 1907 D.19704 George Smith Collection Image: Stuart Humphreys
© Australian Museum

Stolzite is a rare lead tungstate mineral found in several locations around the world, but Broken Hill produced exceptionally large, nicely coloured and well-formed crystals. The honey-coloured crystals form double pyramids in the tetragonal crystal system, sitting on iron-rich gossan.

Specimen details

  • Origin

    Proprietary Mine, Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia

  • Size

    9 x 8 x 6cm, Crystals to 2 cm

  • Date

    Registered 1907

  • Collection number

    D.19704

  • Collection

    George Smith Collection

The Australian Museum purchased this specimen from collector George Smith in 1907 as part of a large collection of 1500 exceptional mineral specimens. In 1927 a further 1700 specimens were acquired, with half the purchase price being donated by Zinc Corporation, Broken Hill South and North Broken Hill Mines.