Copper ps. Cuprite on Copper

Item Description

This specimen is from a significant find in Russia of around 2007-08; and it is a very elegant example because it is beautiful and complete all around. The copper has, in minute and complex crystals, replaced a previous cuprite atop (and others below), for a total replacement of the original material. This is called a pseudomorph (see the Jan-Feb 2025 supplement to the issue of The Mineralogical Record). Sometimes these replacements are partial but here, it seems complete. The elegance and perfection of this piece is much finer than most, which tended to be jumbly or clustered. The copper atop is 1.7 cm at longest, and shows off well on a natural pedestal. These should be valued at $1000-plus today.