Azurite on Calcite (classic locale)

Item Description

RARE and impressive, 6.5 cm cluster of large, lustrous, tabular azurite crystals from the ancient copper, silver and iron mines at Rudabanya. The large tabular azurite is 5.5 cm long. Bright royal-blue, midnight-blue to black with small areas of electric-blue azurite are visible and add color. Brown limonite covers the starkly contrasting glassy vein of calcite rhombohedrons on the sculptural, large undulating matrix. Scattered tiny Malachite crystals are also noted and complement the piece. The bit of noted bruising/contacting to the azurites has negligible impact to the overall excellence of this piece. The specimen may be from 1950s finds. Portions of the calcite vein fluoresce orange under SW UV light. Copper mining probably dates to the Bronze Age (1900-1000 B.C.) here. See the 2001 Mineralogical Record article in Vol. 32, No. 2. Ex Kurt Hefendehl Collection, a well-known German collector who amassed a world-wide collection of over 6000 pieces. An outstanding and rare large azurite and calcite combination from the historic locale. Seldom on the market and valued highly in this size and quality!