Apple-Green Halite from the Rudna Mine, Poland

This specimen comes from the Rudna Mine near Polkowice in Lower Silesia, Poland. The specimen displays a dense aggregate of cubic halite crystals with a striking apple-green colour. The green colour is caused by fine inclusions of copper-bearing secondary minerals such as atacamite and paratacamite. This clearly distinguishes the specimen from ordinary colourless or whitish halite. Particularly attractive is the contrast between the strictly cubic crystal form and the unusually fresh green colour.

Why This Specimen Is Presented in the Showroom

This specimen is presented in the Showroom because it displays a rare and aesthetically striking variety of halite. The combination of cubic crystal architecture, apple-green colour and provenance from a well-known European copper deposit makes the specimen interesting both for collectors and from a mineralogical perspective.

In addition, halite is highly sensitive to moisture. Well-preserved specimens of this type are therefore noteworthy not only for their colour, but also for their state of preservation.

Locality

The Rudna Mine near Polkowice is part of the Lower Silesian copper district in Poland. In addition to copper ores, unusually coloured halite specimens are also known from this mine. The green colour is caused by finely dispersed copper-bearing inclusions and makes these specimens characteristic collector pieces from this deposit.