Azurite (fine crystals)

Item Description

You'll find Azurite specimens have been found from thousands of localities around the world, but the contemporary specimens from Milpillas Mine in Mexico will go down as some of the finest examples of the species in history. The top examples of these impressive specimens hold their own against the finest pieces from classic localities like Tsumeb, Bisbee or Touissit. It's important to note that the oxidized zone has been mined through at Milpillas, and we will never see any more of these amazing specimens. I'm sure you've noticed that they have quickly dried up from the market in recent years, and they will surely appreciate in value over time. This is an attractive display specimen featuring excellent quality, very sharp, blocky, rather lustrous, glowing midnight blue crystals of Azurite measuring up to 1.5 cm, associated with chatoyant, mint green colored Malachite on a thin layer of matrix. It's hard to convey in photos/video, but the blue color in these crystals is as vibrant as anything you'll see in any other Azurite from any world locality, which is due to the fact that they are not just solid Azurite, but actually have a sub-layer of Malachite underneath that is actually sitting atop a previous generation of Azurite, which makes for a malachite "sandwich" if that makes sense. This layering allows for more light to be reflected back off the surface the Azurites and creates that stunning color. With strong backlighting, some of the Azurites show a vibrant blue-purple hue internally on the outer edges. A very good specimen of this famous and now dwindling material. The top / display side of the specimen has no major damage that I can find with the naked eye, outside of the periphery where the piece was removed from the pocket wall. Valued $1,500.