Copper - fine large crystal

Item Description

Highlighting this bright dramatic copper specimen from Michigan's historic copper mining district is a truly shocking, sharp, and bright, well-formed crystal on matrix. It stands proudly and reaches 4 cm in length. The exceptionally bright color and sharp crystal form make it leap out at the viewer, and make it more colorful than most with a "pure copper" tone not clouded by some of the darker stains you often see on Michigan coppers. It was cleaned of a natural coating or tarnish, over 20 years ago by the previous owner, but the too-clean look has settled down with age and it is now just beautiful with a nice and evenly bright patina. Like many old-timers from this district, a mine name was not preserved by the original owners, though it almost certainly comes from the Pewabic Lode group of mines (perhaps the Franklin Mine or the Quincy Mine), as it has a minor basalt matrix on the back (indicative of the location). The style matches, as well, with old specimens in the Seaman and Smithsonian museums that would have come out in the 1860s-early 1900s era of mining here. It is certainly from the same age, not recent. We love coppers, and this stark, dramatic small cabinet specimen really stands out to the eye! On closer inspection, as we prepare the specimen here, we notice that the bottom is terminated as well. The piece is actually a large, compound copper crystal, doubly terminated on both ends and actually looks good horizontally too, if mounted differently than we first thought to emphasize the sharper and more textbook-shaped crystal atop. But, it really is doubly-terminated and is actually a single 6-cm-long crystal! This has an incredible termination, broad and well-developed, and of the largest and sharpest in this size and price range that you can acquire at a reasonable price point. Valued $5000-plus. Comes with a custom lucite base for display.