Azurite (superb thumbnail)

Tsumeb Mine, Oshikoto Region, Namibia
Ex. F. John Barlow; Roland & Kathy Sherman
Thumbnail, 2.3 x 1.8 x 1.1 cm
Start Time: 02/15/2024 7:30:00 pm (CST)
End Time: 02/22/2024 6:48:00 pm (CST)
Auction Closed
Winning Bid: $410

Item Description

A killer thumbnail sized specimen of Azurite from the prestigious Tsumeb Mine, one of the world's top localities, not just for Azurite but a myriad of secondary ore minerals. This piece is a choice example featuring a gorgeous, razor-sharp, highly lustrous, deep midnight blue colored, prismatic crystal with a wonderful steep termination, measuring 2.0 cm, sitting atop minor matrix, with a few additional Azurites flaring out of the bottom of the piece in multiple directions. A small mount of green Malachite can be seen for a nice touch. Under strong lighting, a small amount of intense indigo colored highlights can be seen just below the surface of the Azurite crystals. The pyramidal faces of the termination are incredibly smooth, brilliant and well-formed, and they play against the notably deep striated faces that can be seen along certain areas of the prism. I can see a few TINY "flea bites" on the tip of the termination on the main crystals, but you really have to look closely (I had to get out a loupe to see them), but otherwise the crystal is essentially pristine.
This piece comes from the collections of Roland and Kathy Sherman, and was originally part of the collection of F. John Barlow, one of the great US mineral collectors of the latter half of the 20th century. Valued $1,500-$2,000 for quality and aesthetics in a perfect sized thumbnail.

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Bidding History

Bid Amount Bid Time
$410 02/22/2024 6:41:59 pm (CST)
$400 02/22/2024 6:41:59 pm (CST)
$359 02/22/2024 12:35:26 pm (CST)
$349 02/22/2024 12:35:26 pm (CST)
$259 02/19/2024 10:44:49 pm (CST)
$249 02/17/2024 3:59:32 pm (CST)