Copper (fine specimen)

Item Description

The New Cornelia Mine near Ajo, Arizona is a now inactive large open pit copper deposit that according to the entry on mindat.org was, "discovered by the Spaniards in 1750. First produced copper in modern times in 1917". Good crystallized Copper specimens are hard to find on the market these days, and they are some of the better examples of the species from any mine in Arizona. This showy small cabinet sized "floater" specimen is an aesthetic group comprising sharp, well-formed crystals with a pleasing metallic luster on the surface. The main crystal atop the piece sits prominently among the smaller accenting crystals, creating an almost arborescent form. It's completely crystallized all over, showing a combination of well-formed faces, with some modified crystals and almost "etched" looking areas, to give contrast and visceral appeal. It's a hefty piece for the size, weighing 125.7 grams. Very displayable and really eye-catching. A good amount of the Ajo copper specimens I've seen in the past could be described as somewhat "jumbled" or "lumpy", but this one has good definition, distinctive form and great discernible allure.
Valued $2,500.
This piece comes from the personal collection of Colorado mining legend, Dave Bergman, the maternal grandfather of Brian Kosnar. Dave is now retired from mining, but he worked for decades in various mines underground in Colorado, as a miner, mechanic, engineer, shift boss and foreman. His biggest claim to fame is that he was the foreman and the primary person in charge of mining and specimen recovery at the Sweet Home Mine in Colorado in the 1970s alongside his son-in-law, Rich Kosnar. This project what was the FIRST ever operation for specimen recovery at this historic locality. A full-page photograph of Dave can be seen mining underground at the Sweet Home in on page 58 of Peter Bancroft's book "Gem and Crystal Treasures".