Malachite stalactite

Item Description

An impressive and sculptural large parallel-growth pair of knobby, layered malachite stalactites from this ancient and still active mine, where the Chinese Bronze Age started around 2500 years ago. The smooth faces, unlike those from most African malachites, fine lustre and rich green color add much character to this exceptional 360-degree specimen. Quite different from Congo material, in person, and from one of the oldest copper mining locations on earth, still going after 2500 years. Rarely on the market, as the miners did not realize there was a market for these. Thus, these amazing malachites from China itself were mostly destroyed even as African material was selling, and I am thrilled to have rescued as many as I have from that fate, some several dozen over the last few years. While most are damaged in mining and handling, there are the occasional treasures that have come our way.