Safflorite

A rich ore specimen covered with botryoids, or rounded aggregates of dark grey, nubby crystalized safflorite. The safflorite is well crystallized for the species, making it an especially attractive display example of this uncommon cobalt arsenide.

The specimen comes from the Penn-Canadian and Bailey Mine workings, part of the same vein system on the west shore of Glen Lake in the historic Cobalt silver camp of Ontario. These operations, sometimes collectively referred to as the Glen Lake Mine, were active under various ownerships beginning in 1905 and ultimately ceased production in 1971, having produced approximately 7 million ounces of silver. The deposit was developed through four shafts and an adit to a depth of about 455 feet. Specimens such as this represent classic cobalt camp mineralization, where cobalt–nickel arsenides like safflorite occur alongside rich silver ores.