Mimetite, Wulfenite

This specimen features an abundance of bright orange and yellow mimetite crystals in a variety of forms. Many are deep orange botryoidal aggregates, while others display fascinating cylindrical structures with yellow "cap" terminations—several of which resemble tiny "wheat sheathed" forms, adding a unique aspect to the piece that are great to look at under magnification. Complementing the mimetite, a few gemmy, transparent, tabular wulfenite crystals are present on the lower half of the specimen, providing an attractive association.

These eye-catching crystals are characteristic of the Rowley Mine, located in the Painted Rock Mountains, approximately 27 miles west of Gila Bend, Arizona. Discovered in 1900, the mine began production around 1909, with its final recorded commercial activity in 1923. Today, it is worked on a small scale for mineral specimens and occasional copper minerals such as massive chrysocolla.

Renowned for producing some of the finest wulfenite in North America, the Rowley Mine is celebrated for its vibrant orange colour and sharply formed crystals. This specimen is an excellent example of the locality’s classic material, showcasing the striking aesthetic for which Rowley wulfenite has become highly prized among collectors.