ANTLERITE
Specimen anl-3

Dims: 1.9 x 1.1 x 0.8" (4.9 x 2.9 x 2.0 cm)

Wt: 1.0 oz. (28 g)

Mex-Tex Mine, Bingham, Socorro County, New Mexico, U.S.A.

A crust of tiny, intergrown Antlerite crystals rests on the quartz base of this thumbnail specimen. These crystals do not exceed 0.1" (3 mm) in length and are in good condition, though a few spots of damage are obvious. The crystals are generally acicular and fibrous, and their form is not well defined, if at all. They have a moderately pale green color and a dull, silky luster, and are essentially opaque- actually, the crust strongly resembles malachite. The quartz base on which they rest is actually a partial druse that shows good hexagonal form.

Dims: 2.9 x 1.8 x 1.3" (7.3 x 4.6 x 3.2 cm)

Wt: 2.8 oz. (80 g)

Mex-Tex Mine, Bingham, Socorro County, New Mexico, U.S.A.

A matted fibrous crust of Antlerite covers the quartz base of this small cabinet specimen. A few crystalline needles are visible, but most of the material appears to be matted and formless. Its green color varies in depth from pale to moderate, and it has a dull luster and appears to be opaque. The Antlerite rests on a cluster of stubby quartz crystals that extend from the base.

Dims: 2.1 x 1.3 x 1.1" (5.4 x 3.2 x 2.7 cm)

Wt: 1.5 oz. (44 g)

Mex-Tex Mine, Bingham, Socorro County, New Mexico, U.S.A.

Several tight clusters and countless tiny crystals of Antlerite are scattered on the quartz base of this hand specimen. These crystals do not generally exceed 1 mm in length, though one acicular aggregate suggests lengths of about 2 mm or so. Though extremely small and often intergrown, their orthorhombic form appears to be very good. All have a deep green coloration and a pearly-to-vitreous luster, and are at least translucent as individuals. The quartz base has several stubby crystals extending from it, and contains a small amount of galena.

Dims: 2.4 x 1.7 x 1.6" (6.1 x 4.3 x 4.0 cm)

Wt: 4.6 oz. (128 g)

Mex-Tex Mine, Socorro County, New Mexico, U.S.A.

Countless tiny Antlerite crystals make up crusts that partly coat the lead-bearing base of this hand specimen. These crystals are so small that a loupe is needed to properly study them, and there are actually very few. Most of the material has either a massive or reniform habit, with nodules that do not exceed 1 mm in diameter. The Antlerite has a dark green color that is not quite emerald-green and a generally waxy to matte luster, and it is opaque to all intents and purposes. The Antlerite is accompanied by several other minerals, including calcite, possible malachite, anglesite and galena, which makes up much of the mass of the piece.

Dims:3.0x1.2x1.2" (7.6x3.0x3.0 cm)

Wt: 4.1oz. (115g)

Mex-Tex mine, Bingham, Socorro cty., New Mexico

This specimen consists of microcrystalline antlerite on a quartz matrix. Also associated with the antlerite are dark blue crystals that I believe are linarite. The antlerite is in the form of tiny radiating nodules around and on the blue crystals. The antlerite crystals are too small for effective study, even with a loupe. There is no damage to the primary group of antlerite crystals.