Azurite (''rose'') (1980s)

Item Description

This wonderful small cabinet sized piece is not from contemporary mining in China, but actually dates back to the early 1980s. Rich Kosnar actually imported these pieces in the early 1980s, which were some of the first examples of this material to have reached 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 on the market. This piece is a fine quality, well-formed, deep blue color, lustrous Azurite "rose" groups comprising dozens of sharp, tabular layered crystal in almost "fan"-like arrangements associated with a tiny bit of Malachite on the back, and no matrix. The piece is nearly complete on every side, so it's almost a complete "floater" with only one real point of attachment on the bottom / back of the piece. Fine quality and very showy. This piece is valued at $4,500 for the size, quality, aesthetics and the fact that it's 40 years old. For reference, a piece of this size and quality from Bisbee, Arizona would carry a notable price tag in today's market, and the Chinese specimens compare quite favorably in terms of form, color, luster and size. Virtually nothing similar from this mine can be found on the market today to compare to this piece. As mentioned, this piece is from the personal collection of Richard ("Rich") A. Kosnar, the well-known mineral dealer and collector from Colorado (1946-2007). Rich was the namesake for the rare zirconium phosphate mineral, Kosnarite.