SMITHSONITE (Cuprian) from the 79 Mine in ARIZONA

Only a few times over the last several decades, small pockets of intense green cuprian smithsonite have been recovered at this small mine. The last major finds of high quality pieces were around 1990. Recently (showing up on the market starting in mid-2009), however, two pockets of exceptional material were collected here, from which these specimens came.

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AZCUPSMITH-09 - Smithsonite (cuprian) - $ 900
79 Mine, Gila County, Arizona, USA
cabinet, 11.4 x 7.2 x 7.3 cm

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A very 3-dimensional and large specimen with unusual crysatllization, in that the normally rounded smithsonites are subdivided, and cityscaped, on close examination. This piece has overall a nice apple-green color, with some color zonation darker and lighter present. A second generation of drusy smithsonite was deposited in the crevasses and cracks between the larger growths, making for an increased sense of depth to the piece.

AZCUPSMITH-06 - Smithsonite (cuprian) - $ 850
79 Mine, Gila County, Arizona, USA
small cabinet, 9.8 x 5.9 x 2.5 cm

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This is an elongated plate with the most sparkly smithsonite I have seen from the find, literally as if you dropped sugar on top of the big botryoidal balls. Like many from this new find, this piece exhibits two-tone coloration of both apple-green and darker-green smithsonite. It is mounded very 3-dimensionally on the matrix with a thick layer of green (cuprian) smithsonite. The color is INTENSE in the darker zones, more what you expect for the finest wavellite and not for green smithsonite. I need to note that the piece was embedded in a rather large and rough matrix block, and so it was extracted by sawing rather than careful hand trimming: thus, the edges show in some places traces of the saw cut though they have been "roughed up" a little to try to hide that fact. Nevertheless, it displays well and again has fantastic, intense color. If it does not sell here as is, I will trim out the large miniature in the center and raise the price on the resulting piece, as its worth it...

AZCUPSMITH-05 - Smithsonite (cuprian) - $ 650
79 Mine, Gila County, Arizona, USA
small cabinet, 7.8 x 6.6 x 5.1 cm

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A very 3-dimensional large specimen with solid coverage of cuprian green smithsonite. While most is of one generation, a slightly lighter color second generation has been deposited in the middle as well

AZCUPSMITH-04 - Smithsonite (cuprian) - $ 900
79 Mine, Gila County, Arizona, USA
small cabinet, 7.1 x 5.2 x 2.8 cm

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A fine, 3-dimensional matrix specimen with an unusually choice and thick layer of green (cuprian) smithsonite atop. Like many from this new find, it exhibits two-tone coloration of both apple-green and darker-green smithsonite. The play of the colors in reflecting light makes them most unusual, and I have not seen green smithsonite before which exhibits this color play on the same piece. this specimen has very robust, large, botryoidal smithsonite at its peak.

AZCUPSMITH-01 - Smithsonite (cuprian) - $ 350
79 Mine, Gila County, Arizona, USA
small cabinet, 6.3 x 4.3 x 2.7 cm

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A fine, 3-dimensional matrix specimen with a thick layer of green (cuprian) smithsonite atop. This is a good large miniature or small cab. Like many from this new find, it exhibits two-tone coloration of both apple-green and darker-green smithsonite

AZCUPSMITH-07 - Smithsonite (cuprian) - $ 3200 SOLD
79 Mine, Gila County, Arizona, USA
cabinet, 11.7 x 8.3 x 4.8 cm

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A rich and VERY LARGE plate for the find, of high quality, consistent apple-green color, and superb display aesthetics! The photos pretty much say it all�Cuprian smithsonite in this size from ANY locale must be very rare, and from the few previous finds at this location I have seen little of this magnitude (and then at much higher prices, as well).

AZCUPSMITH-03 - Smithsonite (cuprian) - $ 400 SOLD
79 Mine, Gila County, Arizona, USA
small cabinet, 7.1 x 4.7 x 3.6 cm

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A beautiful, 3-dimensional, richly covered matrix with thick smithsonite of medium green color fo rthis find. Not too dark, not too light! It has a rich sparkle to it, as well, that is unusual.

AZCUPSMITH-02 - Smithsonite (cuprian) - $ 300 SOLD
79 Mine, Gila County, Arizona, USA
miniature, 5.8 x 5.7 x 3.7 cm

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Like many from this new find, this piece exhibits two-tone coloration of both apple-green and darker-green smithsonite. It is mounded very 3-dimensionally on the matrix with a thick layer of green (cuprian) smithsonite. This is a good large miniature or small cab. One photo (on left, top) shows the piece standing vertically and showing off more curving smithsonite growths, so it looks less in width from this angle than it actually is. The second (right) photo shows the specimen more head-on.

- 8 specimens selected - back to the Galleries

Rob Lavinsky, rob@irocks.com

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