Spinel-twinned Copper (old classic)

Item Description

A striking and classic copper specimen from the famous Champion Mine of Michigan"s famed Copper Country. Fabulous, dentritic groupings of spinel-twinned copper crystals spring upward from a single long "backbone" of arching spinel-twinned copper. The large, 4.5 cm, doubly terminated crystal group at the end is particulary striking. The crystals have a nice patina, which in some places is further accented with a red cuprite coating. This form of copper crystals was classified as Type I branching by Dana in 1886. The historic Champion Mine operated from 1902 to 1967and this is probably an old-timer, as it is very high quality. Valued at $1250-1500.