Malachite pseudomorph after Cuprite (old classic)

Item Description

The famous and historic Copper Mines of Chessy are world-renowned for producing some of the first recorded secondary copper minerals in Europe. Not only has the area been mined for copper since the Middle Ages (mining stopped in 1875), but it's actually the type locality for Azurite! Arguably the most well-known and sought after material from Chessy are the gorgeous "floater" pseudomorphs of Malachite replacing Cuprite. Here we have a single, sharp, octahedral of Cuprite which has altered on the surface to green Malachite. The piece is nearly 100% pristine, but there is a tiny Wilber on one corner, which actually allows a view to the very dark red Cuprite inside! This material came out in the 1800s and are the epitome of classics.