Cuprite octahedron (Gene Wright Coll.)

Item Description

Mashamba West cuprite specimens are some of the finest in the world and this is an excellent thumbnail. It is a mirror-bright, very metallic, deep ruby-red, sharp, elongated octahedral crystal, showing gorgeous internal gemminess and transparency when backlit (they cut large, ruby-red gems from such crystals!). The crystal has classic form and is a beautiful example of the species. One side is partially contacted, but there is no damage, per se. This piece is from the late 1980s finds at this famous mine. These are no longer coming out, for a number of reasons having to do as much with the society and politics there, as the actual mines themselves. Valued at $200-300.