TUC114-071
Azurite on Malachite
Milpillas Mine, Cuitaca, Mun. de Cananea, Sonora, Mexico
Small Cabinet, 7.5 x 5.5 x 4.0 cm
SOLD
From the famous 2006-2007 mining season here (which many consider the best for this style of combination), this is the best electric blue azurite perched on the best quality velvety, evergreen-colored malachite. The piece is just stunning for contrast and color. It is complete all around, 360 degrees, except only a few minor contacts. I sold this in 2007 at the start of that Tucson show, actually, to a collector who kept it private and changed his direction in collecting recently; thus allowing me to buy it back. I feel privileged to have it again. This combination, this style, is unique to the mine and to my eyes it is far better than the similar styled but smaller azurites on less velvety malachite from early 1900's Bisbee (and those go for prices that make THIS look cheap, even!). Mark my words, if I have learned anything it is to trus tmy instincts and these incredible things from Milpillas will be classics, worth 2-5X, in a few short years when people realize they are gone forever and were among the worlds BEST overall azurites. The deposit has under 2 years left in the oxide zone, where such species form. Then, its only black uglies and chalcocite in the underlaying strata.Joe Budd Photos. THIS IS OF A QUALITY OF THE TOP PIECES, privately and quickly sold at Tucson of that year