Lanner, Cornwall, England, UK

Very small sample of apple green waxy Cornubite, found in a copper/arsenate environment at Tresavean. G. Curtis collection, May 2022.

© G.Curtis

Found with a metal detector. Silver with minor pyrite. Streak tested (see child pic). Full sample is a 15 cm rock with substantial amounts of metallic Silver distributed through it. G. Curtis, Tresavean, March 2023.

© G.Curtis

A lovely display specimen with nice well crystallised turquoise blue crusts of Langite coating a Quartz matrix. Great example of a rare mineral.

© Crystal Classics

© Richard De Nul

An old-time Cornwall, England copper specimen from the much less well-known Tresavean Mine in the historic Camborne - Redruth - St Day District. This fairly well crystallized copper, with a classic copper patina, looks like an anthropomorphic figure with outstretched arms and legs, or if turned sideways looks like a capital "H". Classic material ...

© Rob Lavinsky & irocks.com

Selenite crystals on pyrite from the adit level. Collection and photo, Paul De Bondt.

© Collection and photo, Paul De Bondt

Clear to pale blue Goslarite from this small mine. 26 ZS DMap stack, Canon 1100D, 28mm reversed Tokina lens + 56mm ext. tube.

This Mineral is from Geo W Fletcher collection it was collected on 8-3-1989 There are no crystals to measure the specimen as a good covering on all sides with some Selenite the photograph is in the middle of the specimen I am using the Catalogue Number: of Mr Fletcher 1202 OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Small piece of a cassiterite rich quartz 'shode stone' found some years ago in the Bell Veor Mine sett.

© Dale Foster Collection

Quartz/tourmaline veinstone cut by a veinlet of solid cassiterite with lesser amounts of crystalline cassiterite shot through the matrix. From the Bell Veor mine sett. Acquired from Peter Trebilcock.

© Dale Foster Collection

A little matrix base supports a "skin" of malachite needles with an additional rich deposit of micro cubic langite. Very nice example, collected from the Shallow Adit in 1994 by Mike Merry.

© Thames Valley Minerals/e-Rocks

Cassiterite in quartz, found several years ago on the floor of the adit at Bellvean Mine.

© Dale Foster Collection

Rich tinstone comprising fine grained cassiterite in a quartz-tourmaline matrix.

© Dale Foster Collection

Highly magnetic crystalline magnetite. Ex Derek Solt specimen. Collection and photo, Paul De Bondt.

© Collection and Copyright © 2018, Paul De Bondt

Chalcopyrite crystals on matrix. Obtained at the 2018 Gent show from Richard Bell. Cllection and photo, Paul De Bondt.

© Collection and Copyright © 2018, Paul De Bondt

Size: H:4.8cm x W:8.7cm x D:1.7cm Description A little matrix base supports a

© Thames Valley Minerals/e-Rocks

Size: H:4.8cm x W:8.7cm x D:1.7cm Description A little matrix base supports a

© Thames Valley Minerals/e-Rocks

Size: H:4.8cm x W:8.7cm x D:1.7cm Description A little matrix base supports a

© Thames Valley Minerals/e-Rocks

A complex mesh-network of dendritic copper covers the surface of a rock, full coverage about 6x5cm. Collected Chapman/Curtis May 2020.

© G.Curtis

Very minute Chalcophyllite covering a large area of several sq cms. Identified by hexagonal blue/green crystal plates in a copper/arsenate environment. Chapman/Curtis May 2020.

© G.Curtis

Size: H:4.8cm x W:8.7cm x D:1.7cm Description A little matrix base supports a

© Thames Valley Minerals/e-Rocks

Quartz/tourmaline veinstone cut by a veinlet of solid cassiterite with lesser amounts of crystalline cassiterite shot through the matrix.

© Dale Foster Collection

Size: H:4.8cm x W:8.7cm x D:1.7cm Description A little matrix base supports a

© Thames Valley Minerals/e-Rocks

Uraninite slab identified by extremely high gamma radiation, and black colour. It was detected at surface, buried about 9 inches below compacted soil. The green patches that look like fungus are composed of micro-crystalline spheroids, as individuals and clumps. Green patches identified as Zeunerite by radioactivity, colour, and chemical ...

© G.Curtis

Cassiterite in a quartz-chlorite veinstone. Collected by Charles Smith, former geologist of Geevor Mine.

© Dale Foster Collection

Part of a larger sample found by R.Chapman in 2019. Identified as Bitumen by general appearance, and the fact that when heated with a flame it burns with a smell of pitch. Strictly speaking it is not a mineral, being organic and non-crystalline, but details of the find strongly indicate that it came from the mine.

© George E S Curtis

Ex Buck Keller collection.

Nice corded blue langite crystals on matrix. Specimen collected by Mike Merry in 1994. Ex Norman Cogger, Tenbridge, Kent, specimen. Collection and photo, Paul De Bondt.

© Collection and photo © 2021 , Paul De Bondt

Antlerite identified by sight, mineral environment, and familiarity. George Curtis, Tresavean, 11/5/24

© G.Curtis

5.6 x 3.0 x 2.0 cm. Langite is a hydrated secondary copper sulfate mineral. Mineral specimens of any species are rare from this old Cornwall copper mine. Sparkly rich teal-blue microcrystals cover matrix on this colorful and most excellent example. The old Foote label on the back probably dates from 1880-1895. Rare material from the Art Soregaroli ...

© Rob Lavinsky & irocks.com

Identified by sight only.

© G.Curtis

5.6 x 3.0 x 2.0 cm. Langite is a hydrated secondary copper sulfate mineral. Mineral specimens of any species are rare from this old Cornwall copper mine. Sparkly rich teal-blue microcrystals cover matrix on this colorful and most excellent example. The old Foote label on the back probably dates from 1880-1895. Rare material from the Art Soregaroli ...

© Rob Lavinsky & irocks.com

A small stone was found with the aid of a GM counter. The stone was coated in a brown/yellow substance which is radioactive and answers to the general description of gummite. Stone also contained these small greyish crystals which are also radioactive. At first thought to be Arsenopyrite, on isolation and closer inspection it was discovered that ...

© G.Curtis

Identified as Antlerite because it is listed from the site as being of high temperature formation, while Brochantite is not. The two are easily confused. Antlerite is also metastable at room temperature, which this sample appears to be. It is also favourably comparable to several Mindat photographs in the Antlerite gallery. Collected at ...

© G.Curtis

Identified by lathe-like crystals, pearly lustre, and chemical environment, Compared with Mindat data sheet and other pictures. R.Chapman - G.Curtis

© G.Curtis

Detail of cassiterite vein.

© Dale Foster Collection

Purple tinted fluorite. A common mineral. G. Curtis, Tresavean, 03/06/2023

© G.Curtis

Found on one of the exposed rock piles to the west of the site, fluoresces at 265nm UV. Sphalerite forms a crust of opaque, ill formed but lustrous dark crystals with veins of chalcopyrite and some minor chlorite. A high point of an otherwise mainly unproductive trip.

© Dave Griffiths

Not Analysed. Identified as Metalodèvite by details on Mindat data sheet and Mindat photographs, combined with chemical environment. The mineral was found inside a block of Uraninite, and is radioactive. The mineral is fluorescent green in SW UV. It is tetragonal, small bi-pyramids visible. True colour has hints of very pale yellow. Zn,U,As ...

© G.Curtis

Not tested. Found in a rock that is rich in bismuth metal. Identified by direct association with bismuth. This group of spheroids compares well to Mindat data and several pictures of eulytine. G. Curtis, Tresavean, March 2023.

© G.Curtis

Close up showing zoning

© Dave Griffiths

Sphalerite crystal in quartz. Tresavean, G.Curtis collected 06-2-21,

© G.Curtis

Uraninite slab identified by extremely high gamma radiation, and black colour. It was detected at surface, buried about 9 inches below compacted soil. The green patches that look like fungus are composed of micro-crystalline spheroids, as individuals and clumps. Green patches identified as Zeunerite by radioactivity, colour, and chemical ...

© G.Curtis

'Mystery' metal found with metal detector, located in rock with pin-pointer. Streak/smear test shows soft silver metal with vivid blue tarnish, distinct from Ag which tarnishes brown/black. Some small patches show red and/or yellow tarnish. Answers to description of Bismuth, distributed through rock in very small veins and 'pods'. G. Curtis - ...

© G.Curtis

Golden chalcopyrite with small cavities coated in an unidentified blue mineral.

A thin vein of chalcocite that flaked off a granite matrix. The black chalcocite is dotted with white quartz and the whole piece is liberally coated with 'dusty' malachite.

Galena cubes bright metallic where freshly broken. The parent piece is a little smaller than a golf ball with a yellow weathered surface with a vein of galena running through the middle.

Silver-grey galena in a mixed matrix of quartz, chlorite, pyrite (the gold area to the right in the image) and sphalerite. The green patch is an unidentified mineral and the blue is simply a reflection.

A nicely striated opaque dark crystal from a 20mm thick seam of mostly massive sphalerite. Collected from the tailings mounds at Penstruthal.

© Dave Griffiths

Silver-grey galena in a mixed matrix of glassy quartz. The galena is coated in a blue druse of an unidentified mineral, possibly linarite, though that does not display well in this image. The golden areas are pyrite.

Galena on quartz, part of a larger sample. G.Curtis Tresavean, 16/01/21

© G.Curtis

Tourmaline crystals present as inclusions in clear quartz. In open cavities the tourmaline (schorl) protrudes through as free standing crystals. Collected from the recently exposed tailings mounds at Penstruthal.

© Dave Griffiths

Crystals of cassiterite with quartz and calcite from Pensthruthal Mine, Lanner, Cornwall, England.

© Knut Eldjarn

Dark, blue glittery metallic chalcocite with minor chalcopyrite and a dusting of malachite on what was the exterior surface. One of a set of fragments used for experimental semiconductors, see child image for example curve trace plot using a steel 'cat's whisker' point contact.

© Dave Griffiths

2 small areas of reddish copper with an overgrowth of a crystalline blue mineral. The matrix is loosely cemented quartz and dolomite.

Bright red cuprite mixed with white quartz. The parent piece is about 75mm x 25mm and formed a thin crust over a large piece of rock matrix with just a little green discolouration which entirely underplayed the mass of cuprite beneath.

Aggregate of tiny, sharp linarite crystals on altered Cu-rich matrix. Purchased in 2021.

© Andrew Hodgson

Bright metallic pyrite in a white quartz matrix

Found on one of the exposed rock piles to the west of the site, fluoresces at 265nm UV. Sphalerite forms a crust of opaque, ill formed but lustrous dark crystals with veins of chalcopyrite and some minor chlorite. A high point of an otherwise mainly unproductive trip.

© Dave Griffiths

A bed of very dark green Pharmacosiderite supports a prominent display of Arseniosiderite spheroids. Not analysed. Pharmacosiderite identified by familiarity, it is fairly common in Cornwall. Arseniosiderite identified by diligent search of photographs, data, mineral/chemical environment, known mineral association with Pharmacosiderite, ...

© G.Curtis

Very difficult to photograph, black plates of sphalerite with bright reflective surfaces showing slightly red where light is transmitted through the material.

Lustrous chalcopyrite with malachite. Collected from the exposed tailings mounds at Penstruthal, where malachite seems extremely common, usually as dusty coatings and crumbly seams through the rocks.

© Dave Griffiths

Cassiterite mass in veins running through a large lump of quartz, found near the Lanner Substation Tresavean mine. Identified as Cassiterite by hardness, density, tenacity. Also my collecting buddy who is a retired tin miner from South Crofty recognises it, having experienced years of digging it out. Not Sphalerite, which is common at the ...

© G.Curtis

A thin vein of chalcocite that flaked off a granite matrix. The black chalcocite is dotted with white quartz an the whole piece is liberally coated with 'dusty' malachite. In close up the black chalcocite can be seen to be dotted with minute golden flecks.

Identified visually. Listed from this site. Compares with some Mindat photos in gallery. ID changed from Ettringite on receipt of advice from Mindat.org adjudicator. Collected 14th June 2024, Tresavean, G. Curtis

© G.Curtis

Cassiterite in a quartz-chlorite veinstone.

© Dale Foster Collection

Identified by sight only.

© G.Curtis

Stacked pyrite cubes.

A crust of blue bubbles on a crumbly orange fragment, one of a small number of shallowly buried rocks covered in secondary minerals (mostly chrysocolla and malachite). This was found under a layer of sand from the side of the exposed tailings at Penstruthal mine.

© Dave Griffiths

Close up view.

© Dave Griffiths

silver-white arsenopyrite spread widely through a fine grained chloritic matrix with a small amount of pyrite.

Scorodite. Initially, this collector managed to convince himself that this was Cornwallite, based on the evidence available. However, after cautionary guidance from one of the adjudicators I re-examined the host rock in fine detail only to discover minute cubes of Pharmacosiderite on the same rock sample, hiding in a corner. This new evidence ...

© G.Curtis

Cubes of pyrite coated in malachite. Part of a dense mass of loosely cemented pyrite, with concentrated areas of rough malachite, chalcocite and chalcopyrite. Collected from the exposed tailings mound at Penstruthal Mine.

© Dave Griffiths

Green glassy brochantite with bright red cuprite peeping through a yellow weathered surface. The parent piece is about 75mm x 25mm and formed a thin crust over a large piece of rock matrix with just a little green discolouration which entirely underplayed the mass of cuprite beneath.

A jumbled mass of iron-stained Gypsum crystals fill a large cavity. A common mineral. Identified by familiarity. Tresavean, 7th Sept 2024, G. Curtis.

© G.Curtis