TUC10-C09
Copper (Spinel-Twinned)
Champion Mine, Painesdale, Houghton Co., Michigan, USA
Small Cabinet, 7.2 x 3.2 x 2.3 cm
Ex. Robert Nowakowski
SOLD
A central spine comprising a single robust, elongated spinel twin copper crystal is host to parallel-growth spinel twins of copper, to 1.7 cm in length. The net effect is to give this lustrous, brownish-red specimen an intriguing, three dimensional appearance. Architecturally, this looks a lot like a fish skeleton and so you can see why the nickname "herringbone coppers" has been attached to these. Out of all the Michigan coppers, this is really one of the few styles totally unique and recognizable to one specific mine. The patina color is a rich brownish-red (untouched by acidizing); and this specimen can be viewed from more than one direction since it appears to be a floater. The back side is lightly covered in a crystal druse, probably calcite.