Malachite (classic find)

Item Description

Morenci Mine, a huge copper mine in southern Arizona, is world famous for azurite and malachite. It has not produced as many famous azurite finds as its older neighbor Bisbee, but it has produced a fabulous supply of specimens from a few pockets, recognizably different from all others, of both azurite and malachite. This is from a famous find of "malachite balls" in the 1990s due by Stan Esbenshade and Wayne Thompson. Note that primary (original) malachite is actually more uncommon from this location than are the pseudomorphs of malachite replacing azurite. It is a particularly dramatic piece with excellent display, isolated balls to 2 cm on contrasting matrix, and much better than the quantity of lesser specimens. It is in amazing condition. Formerly on exhibit in the Rice Museum. Valued $4000-5000. This piece was donated to the Museum by Sharleen Harvey, the daughter of founders Richard and Helen Rice, and long on display (comes with display labels).