Bisbeeite (rare)

Item Description

An incredibly rare specimen of Bisbeeite, a hydrated copper magnesium silicate which was first reported from the famed Shattuck Mine in Bisbee. Now there is some debate as to whether or not Bisbeeite should be a valid species, and the entry on mindat.org states, "It seems to be variously considered a variety of plancheite and/or chrysocolla, from work in other localities, but Sid Williams, working on type locality material, thought it still legitimate, but the study was never completed". With that said, it has not be discredited, and its current status with the IMA is "questionable". This piece is one of the VERY few examples of the material that we've had to offer and features small blue fibrous spots of Bisbeeite on Quartz matrix. A cool rarity which may or may not maintain its status as a valid species once more research is done.
From the collection of the beloved mineral dealer and collector Rock H. Currier (1940-2015) who was the long-time owner of Jewel Tunnel Imports. Collection #750. Rock travelled the world in search of mineral specimens, and built and impressive collection over his lifetime. He was one of the more colorful and unforgettable figures in the mineral world. You can read more about Rock at the following links: (https://mineralogicalrecord.com/biographies_labels/currierrock/) (https://www.mindat.org/user-2982.html) (https://www.rockcurrier.com/).