Cuprite octahedrons

Item Description

Impressive, stout mounded small cabinet cluster of intergrown sharp cuprite octahedrons from the late 2000s finds at this now well-known Russian copper-silver mine. Brilliant metallic-gray luster and the crystals reach 1.7 cm. Bright light reveals a few small areas of classic cherry-red translucence and scattered brick-red cuprite coatings are noted. Complete all-around and in excellent shape, overall. A modest bit of basal periphery wear and out-of-sight contacting on the back are noted, but certainly have minimal impact to the overall excellent quality of the piece. Formerly in the Presmyk Collection. Ex De Natura (Les Presmyk) dealer stock and valued by Les at $1750. Cuprite specimens from the mine are compared with the world's finest examples of the species and this is an excellent, rich and sculptural piece.