A sussexite-dominated rare mineral pod from the South Limb of the North Orebody at Sterling Hill. Like specimens SSX10 and SSX44, this shows the cherty and fibrous forms of sussexite, with cherty sussexite (here a dull purplish brown) along the rim of the pod (right side), and tan fibrous sussexite developed toward the center of the pod. In places on this specimen are laths of fibrous sussexite with cores of pinkish-purple cherty sussexite; these have been called sussexite “crystals,” but this is a misnomer. As with specimen SSX10, the matrix of SSX15 is hydrothermally altered ore, with franklinite the only ore mineral left visible. Specimen SSX15 is from the collection of Richard C. Bostwick.
Identifier: SSX15a Locality: South limb of the North orebody, Sterling mine, Ogdensburg Specimen size: 13 x 8 x 6 cm Photo credit: Earl R. Verbeek