Copper coated by Cuprite

Item Description

This is a highly aesthetic and showy small cabinet sized specimen of this classic material, dating back to the mid 2000s. When these pieces first hit the market, collectors were introduced to some of the most extraordinary crystallized Copper specimens from any world locality. Many of these pieces feature amazing crystallized forms, including attractive skeletal habits and dramatic twinning. I personally consider these pieces to be one of the most significant Copper discoveries in the last 50 years, and they have already proven themselves as modern-day classics. This specimen is a gorgeous branching arborescent group of rich reddish colored Copper which is coated by hundreds of tiny sparkling octahedral crystals of Cuprite, creating a remarkably eye-catching piece. This specimen is nearly a complete "floater" with only a few tiny points of attchment. The reddish patina on this specimen gives it an antique appearance, and truly stands out among many others that I've seen from this classic locality. From the collection of Richard ("Rich") A. Kosnar (1946-2007), the well-known dealer and mineral collector from Colorado, and the namesake for the rare potassium zirconium phosphate species, Kosnarite.