This is, for my tastes, one of the finest coppers I have yet seen from the mine and from Russia in modern times. Every year for 3 years, the production has changed a little bit, as the mining progresses through the oxidation zone here (interestingly, they are mining from the bottom-up). This year, a small pocket of these coppers with a rich and variegated, iridescent patina was hit. This specimen was, from what I was told and what I have seen, the best of that lot. It is a cabinet piece which has merit for the size and sharpness of the crystals, and for its arborescent form; but it has a beautiful surface which adds so much character. We believe that some of the coloration you see is due to the presence of very small silver deposition atop the copper in some places. 588 grams. Found in August of 2011. Joe Budd photos.