Azurite and Malachite

Item Description

Azurite with secondary Malachite is the most recognizable of the copper-mineral combinations, and the storied Tsumeb Mine is known for its world-class and historic Azurites. Here, the sharp, highly-lustrous, deep-blue Azurites are coated with shimmery, green, secondary Malachite. Looking at it, the vista seems almost alpine, with Azurite peaks girdled all around by attractive Malachite forests on the 'slopes'. Just beautiful, really. And you don't realize it, but the entire left side of the specimen, as photographed, is one single and sharp, 5.3 x 3.5 cm tabular Azurite. Very impressive and deceptively good. This is an outstanding small-cabinet piece with fine quality and aesthetics. And for such a soft mineral, the Azurites are in exceptional condition, with just a bit of wear on one corner. Even better in person, this is an utterly classic style from this famous mine, probably from the 1960s or earlier, and unequaled in such form by anything found recently in Mexico, which is good from an investment point of view in terms of buying Tsumeb material. This is a significant example of what it is. Valued $2500-3500.