Papagoite with Ajoite (rare classic material)

Item Description

A fairly hard to find association specimen of Papagoite and Ajoite, two rare copper silicate species from the New Cornelia Mine in Ajo, Arizona, which is the type locality for both minerals. Ajoite was discovered in 1958 and Papagoite was discovered in 1960, and specimens featuring both minerals together are rarely seen on the market from this classic old locality. Most people are probably familiar with these minerals as inclusions in Quartz from the Messina Mine in South Africa, but specimens from Ajo are much rarer and more desirable for some collectors. This piece features crystalline turquoise blue Ajoite with rich cerulean blue colored micro Papagoite on matrix. We've photographed the piece with a Canon MP-E 65 mm macro lens to better illustrate them. A stellar rarity for any fan of secondary copper minerals, Arizona specimens or minerals from the type locality. It should be noted that Papagoite has only been reported from FOUR localities in the world, so it's a remarkably rare mineral.
Ex Les Presmyk specimen (De Natura)