Sussexite

A 13-cm pod of purplish sussexite with orange zincite, bordered by calcite in altered granular ore. This compact, colorful variety of sussexite is formed of laths of massed fibers and is informally known as “gem grade” sussexite as pieces of it have been cut and polished to make attractive cabochons (e.g., SSX36). It was found at Sterling Hill in the south limb of the North Orebody. The most abundant find included this specimen and was made above 2350 level in 11 pillar during the final stages of mining in late 1977 and early 1978. The ore in this remaining part of the pillar, which was cut off on its east side by the Zero fault, was too fractured to mine safely, so holes were drilled from the level as far up as practical, and a large blast set off. When the muck pile was wet down following the blast, this colorful material was noticed, and drill runner Chuck James and the NOB crew recovered what they could. This example is from the collection of Richard C. Bostwick.

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