Cuprite (ex. Jean Behier & Ed David Coll.)

Item Description

This is a large complete cuprite crystal of exceptional (not the biggest, but up there?) size, from famous old finds at this remote mine in the 1970s. Specimens turn up today from time to time, but many large crystals like this have sadly been butchered over the years because they contain top quality, fire red cuprite gem rough that can be turned into cut gems, which sell better than the mineral specimens in some markets. This large crystal (286 grams), as you can see, is entirely translucent to transparent and would cut many large stones - its value when cut is much more than its specimen value, I will admit. But it seems a shame to cut it before giving it the chance to live. Cutting value is at least around $2500 wholesale though the gems cut would be worth more once the value is added from the process. As a specimen, we might expect a piece like this, for size and symmetry, to fetch only $2000 to $2500 max. This fine crystal is from the collection of noted mineralogist Jean Behier, who helped develop the mining industry of Madagascar and passed away some years ago. His collection was obtained by dealer ALain Martaud of France, who sold this specimen to Dr. Ed David (president Nixon's science advisor, interestingly, among other jobs held) perhaps 8 years ago. Ed loves giant crystals and this fit well into the collection.