Aragonite PLUS Copper pseudomorph after Aragonite (2-piece before and after set)

Item Description

Here we have a fantastic, 2-piece set consisting of a crystal group of Aragonite and a pseudomorph of Copper after Aragonite from the famous locality of Corocoro, Bolivia. These floater specimen are well-known for their great pseudohexagonal form (they're actually cyclic twins), but this set is special because it's a great way to illustrate the "before and after" effect. It's actually quite rare "before and after" examples for most pseudomorphs, especially from the same locality. Keep in mind that the vast majority of the crystals you'll find from this locality are strictly pseudomorphs of Copper after Aragonite, so to find an UN-pseudomorphed Aragonite crystal is also quite rare. This set is a very fine example of this material, and it was very difficult to find a pair of specimens that matched so well for shape (keep in mind they are not just solitary crystals but "floater" GROUPS of multiple crystals), thickness and size, plus they're VERY SHARP for the material (the bigger pseudomorphs can be really distorted and unattractive). There hasn't been any significant amount of these specimens on the market in approximately 25 years, and they are often only found in old collections. I was told a few years ago that a Korean mining company purchased the locality in order to mine the pseudomorphs, in order to be melted down for their copper value, so these pieces may never be seen again. Valued $1,500.
From the collection of Brian Kosnar.