Torbernite

This thumbnail piece features translucent, deep forest-green tabular crystals of torbernite scattered across an oxidized black matrix, from the renowned Musonoi Mine, Democratic Republic of Congo. The crystals, which reach up to 7 mm in size, are particularly lustrous and display the rich colour and sharp form that make copper uranyl minerals from this locality so desirable.

Torbernite is the hydrated analogue of metatorbernite, and this hydration imparts its signature glassy translucency. In contrast, metatorbernite is typically more opaque and lacks the same vivid sparkle.

This is an excellent and aesthetic example of torbernite from one of Africa’s classic localities. It comes from the international collection of Peter Tarassoff, a well-known Canadian collector who has contributed significantly to the mineralogical community.