Azurite (''floater'' group) (1980s)

Item Description

This beautiful specimen is actually not from contemporary mining, but dates back to the early 1980s. They were imported by Richard Kosnar (the namesake for the phosphate species Kosnarite) and were some of the first examples of this material to reach the US market. The distinctive habit and impressive size of the specimens makes them Chinese "classics" and icons in the mineral world. One simply does not see Azurites of this magnitude from any world locality. Do not let the quantity of Azurites from China dull your appreciation of a specimen such as this, as it predates virtually everything currently available. This piece is a superb, large, well-formed, deep blue color, fairly lustrous Azurite "rose" cluster comprising dozens if not hundreds of sharp, tabular layered crystal in almost "fan"-like arrangements. The piece is complete on every side, so it's a total "floater". The quality is fantastic for what it is, and the piece it sits and displays beautifully as you can see in the photos. Valued $4,000 for the size, quality, aesthetics and the fact that it's 40 years old. Virtually nothing similar from this mine can be found on the market today to compare to this piece.