Azurite with Malachite (ex Marvin Rockey estate)

Item Description

Some of the most classic SPECIMENS of Azurite with Malachite are those from Bisbee, Arizona. A portion of this material was used for lapidary purposes, and resulted in some of the most beautiful gemstones of this historic combination that you will find from anywhere in the world. This gem is a very attractive "Oval" cabochon cut stone from the historic copper producing area featuring a combination of midnight blue Azurite with slightly velvety mint to moss green colored Malachite. PLEASE NOTE: This stone does not have a smooth dome, as the Azurite is actually raised above the Malachite, so there is some three-dimensional depth to the gem. You can still see the excellent patterning and consistency of color throughout. One doesn't honestly see a lot of Bisbee gems on the market, and this is a larger stone, certainly worth picking up if you collect material from the United States.

This stone is from the estate of former Phoenix area dealer Marvin Rockey. Rockey's Gems was a significant business in the early days of Arizona lapidary material, and he was a prominent dealer and buyer in the Arizona area of local lapidary and carving material from throughout the state, including Bisbee, the Ray Mine, Miami mines, and the Peridot finds on Indian lands in the 1950s-1970s. This stone was kept back from the retail stock for its quality and beauty, in a tray of special material, and was found in his estate (sold to us only recently). Today, these are not only rarely seen but of a highly desirable old quality, and sought after by collectors and gem / jewelry enthusiasts alike.