Azurite & Malachite (polished with crystals)

Item Description

A choice object combining mineral and lapidary interest! This is a beautiful and colorful layered, polished azurite and malachite combo slice from the well-known Liufengshan Mine of China, probably cut from rough material from the early 2000s. The sculptural vug hosts scintillating rosettes of bladed navy-blue azurite crystals, that Glow with "electric-blue" color under bright light. The contrasting fibrous, multi-hued green malachite botryoids against the high luster of the polished azurite increase the special quality of this special piece of art. The piece was carved by well-known Arizona artist, Bud Standley, who specialized in such freeform carvings at the time and whose work was in the collections of many major dealers and collectors of the day. He is considered one of the best craftsman for working azurite and malachite, and was responsible for much work on Arizona rough from both Bisbee and Morenci, now in many collections of lapidary and jewelry. He dabbled a bit when he found, rarely, high quality Chinese material.