We do not see a lot of copper, from the Tsumeb mine, all things considered. This particular specimen features an interlinked chain of elongated copper crystals growing attractively on contrasting matrix, where the copper has been replaced by cuprite. It is dramatic and very interesting, and I have not seen another specimen of this replacement from Tsumeb in such size and richness (only as small, isolated replacements). ex Marshall Sussman Tsumeb collection.

A modern classic from the now-famous mine in Russia which has produced the most surprising cuprite find , and one of the best new finds, of recent years. The mine is winding through the oxide zone and its lifetime is now verylimited. The last truly great pocket of cuprites of this quality was found in december of 2010, I am reliably told (and this comes from that find, a "holdback" by a dealer there). The crystals are exceptionally bright and splendent, slightly translucent and of a deep red color. The piece is complete 360 degrees around and displays DRAMATICALLY from several angles, with about the brightest lustre of any that were found here; and unusually good aesthetics. Joe Budd Photos.

This producing mine has produced some amazing things during its short , recent run. This is a gorgeous, very bright small cabinet piece with crystals to 1.8 cm, from the fall-2011 finds here of this highly unusual pseudomorph (replacement) : copper has completely replaced the earlier crystals of cuprite, preserving their form and making for a beautiful specimen at the same time. This piece has a surface sparkle to it, caused by a later generation of microscopic copper deposition, that is hard to capture in photos without seeming to "over-light" the shots. So , in person, it is correct in this color but is even more sparkly and lively, compared to most copper specimens. I have never seen such sharp copper replacements after cuprite in this size, from other locales. And this is one of the better large plates of this style for overall aesthetics. No more have come out since, by the way - and the mine is rapidly burning through its specimen-rich oxidation zone. Joe Budd photos.

Among the rarest of the rare of beautiful Tsumeb mineral combinations, are these gorgeous, blood-red chalcotrichite-included cerussites. I am told that they were only found twice in the mine, for the last time during the early 1970s. Fine specimens that are more than just smears of color are exceedingly rare and hard to obtain, and treasured by the Tsumeb collectors who have them (as a lot, Tsumeb collector specialists being extremely possessive of ANYthing unique and pretty both). This is one of the finest thubmnail-sized examples I have seen amidst handling a number of major Tsumeb and thumbnail collections over the years: It is very elegant; shows classic cerussite morphology whereas most are etched or lumpy in form; and is complete all around 360 degrees. A bit of associated malachite adds contrast and makes this a more attractive thumbnail specimen overall. Although pricey, perhaps, there is nothing like this from any other occurrence on the planet, and these remain a uniquely Tsumeb combination. The rich color and waxy cerussite lustre , taken together, really stands out. ex Desmond Sacco Thumbnail Collection