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Mineral Specimens with Copper
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A large and dramatic cluster of quartz with multiple crenellations on its accessory crystals. The terminations of each are highlighted by bright blue ajoite! Complete all around, this is a rare and large example of this classic association. The mine has NOT been producing such large specimens in a long time.
ex. Francis and Patricia Benjamin
Illustrated in ExtraLapis: Calcite issue, page 8, AS THE STEREOTYPICAL EXAMPLE OF A SHARP CALCITE RHOMBOHEDRON in a discussion of the forms of calcite, this is a truly spectacular example of the classical rhombohedral form of calcite, from Tsumeb. The huge calcite rhomb is colorless, lustrous, transparent and measures to 4 cm on edge. The matrix of copper has a green patina, and is laced with tiny copper included calcite crystals. This is an elegant calcite matrix piece from the heyday of Tsumeb. It is perfect in form and symmetry and undamage save for a VERY minor bruising along one edge of the lower left (that could be ameliorated with acid if desired. its so minor i wouldn't bother). This was exchanged by me recently from the well-known calcite collection of Francis Benjamin.
CLASSIC for the locale, this is a spectacular, spinel twinned copper with a multi-hued patina. It very much resembles the much larger, modern, spinel twinned crystals from Dzezkazgan, Kazakhstan.
A most unusual and fine pseudomorph of copper after cerussite, in bladed crystals to 1.5 cm across. The copper crystals still retain the slender tabular form that were once cerussite. An appealing and rare specimen. At 444 grams, or about a pound, this is a hefty and significant copper specimen from a rich copper mine, that produced paradoxically few examples of specimen-quality native copper! It is also a unique piece n my experience, out of many thousands of Tsumeb pieces I have seen
ex. Charlie Key
Unusual in many respects, because native copper is rare at Tsumeb and when found, is usually not associated with the lead minerals there, this is a very interesting combination piece: In a vug lined with a thick sheet of native copper are emplaced well-formed rhombohedrons of lustrous and translucent, colorless to ivory-colored smithsonite, to 1.25 cm in length. The copper bubbles up in parts through the smithsonite coverage, and is composed of hackly masses that offset the luster and form of the smithsonite. An old specimen, from the noted collection of Tsumeb specialist Charlie Key. a rare copper specimen from a rich copper mine, that produced paradoxically few examples of specimen-quality native copper!
This is certainly by far and away the largest copper of my own lot ; and moreover the finest well-crystallized specimen I was able to see or hear about, at Tucson 2009. There may be better, but if so they never made it to market here, I am pretty sure. The cluster is very complexly crystallized, with a rich coppery patina that is bright but not "cleaned" or chemically treated. It is a floater, with no attachment points. It is 3-dimensional, more so than the photos can indicate. Perched atop the apex of the specimen, on sharp copper crystals, are a number of 2-3mm cuprite crystals of deep red color. The copper itself is, in person, MUCH more beautiful than our pics can convey, and I would say that this stands as an extremely significant Russian copper specimen but also a display-worthy one (not always the same thing!). Really quite unprecedented for a Russian find!
This is a large thumbnail, toenail, or small miniature as you prefer to call it. It is a sparkling, jewel-like copper cluster that is 3-dimensional and exquisitely crystallized all around. In fact, it is a floater, with no attachment points. The shape is overall somewhat like a children's toy "jack" , in that it sits at many angles. The crystals are to 1 cm, and have a natural , shimmering patina that is very distinct for this find.
This miniature specimen displays an elegant stack of copper crystals one atop the other, showing several habits. The crystals are to 1 cm, and have a natural , shimmering patina that is very distinct for this find. Sharp red cuprite to 5mm decorates one side of the specimen, providing a novel accent. This is an excellent representation of the combination from this locality, and quite displayable as well. The copper crystals would be fine for Michigan, but they are phenomenal by previous standards for Russian coppers.
I call this one the "X" for obvious reasons - not very creative, but the name fits. It is a floater cluster with no point of attachment, and it looks sexy from both sides. Both sides show the cuprite association, perched on the slightly shimmering copper with its unique patina characteristic of this find. This piece has a presence beyond its size, and is probably my single favorite specimen in this update because of its crazy aesthetics - this would be an amazing specimen from ANY locality, Russian or otherwise. But for Russia, this quality of copper is very much more fine than the norm. Nevertheless, it is the association that makes these pieces unique.
TUC09-05 - Copper - $ 750
Poteryaevskoe Mine, Rubtsovsk, Altai, Western-Siberian Region, Russia
miniature, 5.2 x 2.5 x 2.0 cm
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A dramatic, arborescent copper specimen with sharp crystals and the unique shimmering patina this mine will , I think, be famous for someday. The piece is complete all around and has stunning , elegant form. Really quite unprecedented for a Russian find!
TUC09-06 - Copper - $ 1450
Poteryaevskoe Mine, Rubtsovsk, Altai, Western-Siberian Region, Russia
small cabinet, 6.3 x 2.9 x 2.7 cm
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A dramatic, sculptural, 360-degree-around copper specimen with sharp crystals and the unique shimmering patina this mine will , I think, be famous for someday. All crystals are sharp - and the piece is very intricate in person. The piece is a floater, with no attachments to mar its symmetry all around. The crystals are SHARP, more evident perhaps in person than we can convey with photos. Really quite unprecedented for a Russian find, this would be superbly crystallized and important from any locality but from here, all the more so!
This specimen has perhaps the most robust, fat crystals of the lot, with brilliant and metallic color, sharp elongated forms of several crystallographic habits, and a minor association with the cuprite which I think this find will become known for. It is MUCH more intricate and 3-dimensional in person, and is, I think, a major Russian copper specimen which should in the past have commanded twice the price.
This is the piece with the brightest lustre of the lot, truly metallic and gorgeous, with a contrasting red cuprite octohedron capping the termination of this arborescent copper cluster. The coppers here are SHARP, some showing a distorted form that is almost, but not quite, cubic. I think the overall look of the crystal habits, the cuprite atop, and the fact that this is just plain good by any standard all combine to make this a particularly important Russian copper specimen from these new finds.
This floater specimen features a 2-cm-long elongated crystal atop, connecting into a sculpture-like cluster below. A dramatic, sculptural, 360-degree-around copper specimen with sharp crystals and the unique shimmering patina this mine will , I think, be famous for someday. All crystals are sharp - and the piece is very intricate in person. The piece is a floater, with no attachments to mar its symmetry all around. The crystals are SHARP, more evident perhaps in person than we can convey with photos. Really quite unprecedented for a Russian find, this would be superbly crystallized and important from any locality but from here, all the more so!
This "boxbuster" competition-level thumbnail, or toenail if you will, is mostly a crazily complex SHARP copper crystal that is about an inch from tip to tip and complete all around. On the apex are several contrasting (in both color and visual form, of course), sharp, reddish cuprite crystals The cuprite has a high lustre and so does the copper - a unique, shimmering patina that seems unique to this find and quite distinct from the surface patina of other coppers I have handled from common locales. Overall, this is a dramatic, sculptural, 360-degree-around copper specimen with sharp crystals and the unique shimmering patina this mine will , I think, be famous for someday. All crystals are sharp - and the piece is very intricate in person. The piece is a floater, with no attachments to mar its symmetry all around. The crystals are SHARP, more evident perhaps in person than we can convey with photos. Really quite unprecedented for a Russian find, this would be superbly crystallized and important from any locality but from here, all the more so. This copper look sdifferent from any other copper I have seen from anywhere, in many subtle ways - before you factor in the crazy garland of sharp cuprite atop!
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Rob Lavinsky, rob@irocks.com
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