Malachite pseudomorph after Cuprite (RARE locality) (ex Wouter Van Tichelen Collection)

Item Description

This piece might be the finest example of this rare material that we've ever had to offer from this prestigious historic area in Hungary. Formal mining at Rudabanya dates back to the Medieval Era (Middle Ages), and you can find specimens from this area in old museum collections and some private collections around the world. This is a notably rare specimen of Malachite pseudomorphing after Cuprite, which in itself isn't unheard of, as we've seen similar specimens from places like Chessy, France; the Onganja Mine and the Tsumeb Mine in Namibia and Bisbee, Arizona, USA, but they are rather hard to find from Rudabanya, especially in this quality. This miniature specimen features a few excellent, sharp, well-preserved, octahedral crystals of what was originally Cuprite measuring up to 1.2 cm which have been pseudomorphed by velvety green Malachite. You can tell by the weight of the specimen, that the replacement is only partial, and the original Cuprite remains at the core of the crystals. No damage, and showy from several angles. A must-have specimen for any fan of pseudomorphs, secondary ore mineral, copper minerals or old European classics. From the collection of Wouter Van Tichelen (#20210513). Priced at $2,500 in the inventory.