Natural Chalcanthite (Philadelphia Academy circa 1800s)

Item Description

The Rambler mine was in its heyday by 1900 or so, and continued for a number of years afterwards to dominate copper production in this region. This particular specimen is the second chalcanthite of any kind that I have personally seen from the state (and this is the only listed locality likely to have produced such a piece). Could it be formed from mine run-off? Or could it have formed naturally during flow of water through the mine, completely unrelated to human mining. As with another musuem chalcanthite of large size in this collection, I am disinclined to think these to be manmade fakes - something I would be very suspicious of today from contemporary mining locations. This is a beautiful, breathtakingly colorful display specimen of massive, translucent "electric-blue" chalcanthite! Ex Philadelphia Academy of Sciences Collection.