Vanadinite with Plattnerite

specimen number:
2063722

location:
Iron Mask Mine, Lemhi Co., Idaho, USA

description:
Interesting locality example for the species, lustrous sparkling brown botryoidal crystallized vanadinite across the top of this matrix. Slight damage present as seen. Tiny black crystals of plattnerite occur on the backside of the piece. This is crystallized all around. The specimen comes with a previous label from the collection of Ray DeMark. He acquired it from Chris Rayburn the collected the piece in 2022.

Located within the Spring Mountain mining district of Lemhi County, Idaho, the Iron Mask Mine is situated in a geologically complex region defined by Paleozoic sedimentary rocks, predominantly limestone and dolomite, intruded by Cretaceous to Tertiary igneous rocks. Low-temperature hydrothermal mineralization along structural fracture zones led to the deposition of rich lead, zinc, and silver ores. Small-scale prospectors worked the area in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, extracting localized ore shoots from quartz veins and replaced carbonate rocks. For mineral collectors, the locality became notable for producing well-crystallized secondary lead and copper minerals, including lustrous cerussite, bright blue linarite, fine malachite sprays, and small pyromorphite prisms. Though historical production remained modest compared to larger Idaho mining districts, specimens from the site are appreciated by regional mineral enthusiasts for their diverse micro-mineral assemblage and historic origin.

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