Malachite after Azurite on Calcite (Robertson Coll.)

Item Description

A cute and uncommon pseudomorph combination from the well-known Onganja Mine. Lustrous malachite pseudomorphs after sharp blocky azurite crystals, to 8 mm on edge, are aesthetically set on the sculptural mounded calcite rhomb matrix. Malachite pseudos are uncommon, as most malachite from here occurs as coatings on the famous cuprite crystals or as primary malachite crystals. The piece has a fine provenance. Ex Kay Robertson Collection # 7349 and acquired from Pala Properties at the San Mateo Show in 1974. It was self-collected by Karla Larson, Bill Larson's wife at the time! Kay is a prominent California collector, who specialized in European classics (see the article in the March-April, 2007 Mineralogical Record). Choice, showy and rare combination malachite pseudo material from Onganja.