Home > Uranium Minerals I – August 27 > MS0754 Bassetite

Bassetite - Sold


Bassetite is an iron uranium phosphate related to autunite. Hallimond (1915) named the mineral after its site of discovery, this locality. Bassetite here forms an aggregate of platy crystals to 1.2 cm across in a vug in iron stained matrix. This is a classic among Cornish minerals, rarely do these come to market. The bassetite crystal group shows orange discoloration on the edges which likely indicates a certain level of dehydration. With careful trimming, perhaps best cutting, this specimen could become a thumbnail. This specimen was part of the personal collection of Ralph Merrill, proprietor of the prolific mail order business Minerals Unlimited. Accessioned in 1959, with a Kessler collection label.