Spinel-twinned Copper (old classic)

Item Description

A classic and striking copper specimen from the famous Champion Mine of Michigans famed Copper Country. Fabulous, dentritic groupings of spinel-twinned copper crystals spring outward from a single long "backbone" of curved spinel-twinned copper. The crystals have a nice variable 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. The floater specimen in the horizontal view looks like a large bird with spread wings. Valued at $500-750