Well Arranged Molecules | Mineral Specimens

catalog listings

Malachite with Chrysocolla
stock #22.1-323
Planet Mine, Buckskin Mountains, La Paz County
Arizona, United States
4 x 3.1 x 3.1 CM (miniature)
price: $330
Spring 23

Pretty and very well-formed miniature with distinct balls of Malachite, some with overgrowths of Chrysocolla. From a recent and remarkable find at the Planet Mine (Arizona, USA) these are rather different from any other USA Malachites, and have made big news in collecting circles. In fine condition as seen, this was selected for the color and sharp definition of the balls, well above average quality. This mine is already well-known for its Chalcanthite crystals that form rapidly as post mining deposits. These Malachite/Chrysocolla specimens are found in a different area and have been well-received by collectors. Good value for quality.

Malachite crystals on Chrysocolla
stock #7.AE-262
Kolwezi, Katanga Copper Crescent
Katanga (Shaba), Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)
11 x 8.4 x 5.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $790
Spring 23

Matrix of rich light green veined Chrysocolla contrasts with a dense covering of darker primary Malachite crystals. An older Kolwezi specimen, this is sizable, undamaged, lustrous and displays very well. Although the Malachite appears dark under most lighting, with strong illumination these are seen as gemmy, transparent bright green crystals. The Copper Crescent zone of the Congo is an amazing and productive area. Every few years some new habits and styles are found, this piece from one era of production is a style we do not see anymore. In my opinion, these fine quality Copper secondaries represent one of the best current values of price to quality in the modern mineral market. Carefully selected, this example is really impressive in person.

Malachite - Crystals and Botryoidal forms
stock #10.1-500
Katanga, Central Area, Katanga Copper zone
Shaba, Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)
8.3 x 6.2 x 4.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $280
Early summer 2021

A classic from Katanga, this is a two sided specimen. One side is composed of sharp radiating fibrous crystals topped by a pair of Malachite balls. The other side is all botryoidal with some distinct chatoyance caused by the balls being composed of fibrous crystals. Excellent condition, color, form and luster. The Shaba Crescent was the source of much outstanding Malachite and these are still very reasonably priced, one of the mineral world's best bargains. In person the color is a bit deeper, darker and the shimmering luster is almost impossible to appreciate in a photo.

Malachite - classic, historic
stock #AX-35-142
Copper Queen Mine , Bisbee, Cochise County
Arizona, United States
5.8 x 5.3 x 4.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $390
new year 2021

A deep green botryoidal Malachite ex Wallace Gould Levison collection (NYC), obtained by him in 1894. Levison' usual affixed label has not survived, we have only his notes from the collection ledger regarding this specimen. A photocopy of that page is included. Specimen # 1379 "Malachite, Bisbee, Arizona C.Q. Mine. Bought for 25 cents from Niven at 1st avenue and 37th st. NY. June 6, 1894..." It is very possible that this is NOT from the Copper Queen mine itself as the Copper Queen Mining company ran many mines in Bisbee and often specimens from Morenci at that time were moved to and sold in Bisbee. These were all often labeled as from the Queen mine. Regardless of the accuracy of the attribution this COULD be a Copper Queen piece but no matter it is a fine old specimen with great provenance. Niven was William Niven who had an active and major business in collector Minerals by 1886. 25 cents was a lot on money at that time, normal appreciation of minerals doubling in price every 7-10 years would make this a rather expensive specimen today, by those terms this is a nice esthetic classic piece and very reasonable.

Malachite - velvet luster stalactites
stock #AX-15-289
Shilu Mine, Yangchun County, Yangjiang
Guangdong Province, China
5.9 x 4.3 x 4 CM (cabinet)
price: $320
Spring 2020

A chantoyant "velvet" Malachite from the Shuli Mine, ex Shields and Frances Flynn collection. The Shuli Mine has on occasion produced some incredible Malachites that are rather like the best material from the Congo yet discernably different. Most good pieces tend to be large blocks, plates or masses, smaller cabinet specimens are quite uncommon. This is a perfectly complete undamaged early piece that is not huge and has the classic look of a fine Shuli Malachite.

Malachite Ps after Azurite
stock #AX-30-049
Flubspatgrube, Lichtenberg, Bad Stben, Franconian Forest, Franconia
Bavaria, Germany
5.9 x 3.3 x 2.7 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $800

A fine old Pseudomorph with a very well formed main crystal 2.4 CM tall. From the collection of Thomas Fitzpatrick, this is in excellent condition. I have not seen any other of this quality, the separation and contrast with the matrix is superb. There are some smaller crystals on the matrix most with some damage or are fully broken but these are not very obvious. The matrix is largely a dark red to brown Gossan with a few small Goethite spheres. On the bottom of the matrix there seems to be a small zone of Pseudomalachite as well.

Malachite - Primary crystals, classic locale
stock #15.1-1064-(SM2923)
Andrassy II. Mine, Rudabanya, Rudabanyai Mts.
Borosod-Abauj-Zemplen Co., Hungary
7.6 x 5.2 x 3.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $750
Worldwide mix summer

An old, well formed and crystallized Malachite from Rudebanya ex Charles Noll collection. The Malachite is quite lustrous and contrasts with the gossan matrix, but this is nearly all Malachite. This is also a well formed and fine Primary Malachite, not a pseudomorph. The luster is bright and satin like with clustered groups of prismatic crystals in spherical arrangements. In excellent condition, we do not know the vintage of this piece but the style is only seen in very old collections, and the locality has been mined since the copper age, it is one of the oldest mineral sites in Europe. Impossible to find specimens of this caliber today.

Malachite Slice of stalactitic nodule
stock #18.1-218
Katanga, Central Area, Katanga Copper zone
Shaba, Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)
5.4 x 4.5 x .5 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $380
Spring update

Sharp and colorful pattern is well presented on both sides of this cross section of Malachite. Good polish and fine contrast in the banding that is "cauliflower" in form. This sort of quality slice was at one time more common but now is quite scarce. A modern classic.