Cuprite - classic Tsumeb
stock #16.1-470-(CN5501)
Tsumeb
Otjikoto Region,
Namibia
5.1 x 4.2 x 3.2 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $750
New Year 22
A rich array of stacked, aligned crystals of Cuprite from Tsumeb. Cuprite is not rare from this mine but this is an unusually esthetic and sizable cluster of crystals, the largest to almost 1 CM. Under average lighting this looks very dark, almost black, but with strong lighting the more red color is seen. Most of the crystals are translucent and can glow with a good backlight. In excellent condition the matrix hosts a few isolated crystals but the main pure cluster of Cuprite is a full 5 CM across. The epitaxial arrangement of the Cuprite (most of these are Octahedra and aligned) is also very evident in person. A much better than usual Cuprite from Tsumeb, this is ex Charles M. Noll collection.
Cuprite with Miersite and Marshite
stock #10.1-085
Rubtsovsky Mine, Rubtsovshy District
Altaiskii Krai,
Russia
4.3 x 3.7 x 2. CM (miniature)
price: $875
Early summer 2021
This is mostly a fine Cuprite specimen with a main octahedron over 3 CM across, which is very sharp and defined. There are several other smaller crystals and between them are some excellent small crystals of Miersite that are bright yellow, gemmy and well-formed. The Marshite is smaller and less distinct but still a nice addition. From the great find at Rubtsovskly Mine in 2010, these were instant classics when found. The Cuprite is especially lustrous and has geometric growth structures well displayed on the larger faces. Aside from the unavoidable broken area where this was removed, the specimen is perfect, the main crystals are in undamaged condition and are in textbook forms.
Cuprite - very fine vintage Cuban
stock #0117-JM-4357
Mina El Cobre, El Cobre
Santiago de Cuba Province,
Cuba
6.2 x 4.8 x 3.1 CM (cabinet)
price: $1850
Early summer 2021
An extraordinary Cuprite from Cuba that is well over 200 years old. Several very old labels including one from a museum in Sweden come with this piece. This mine is one of the oldest Copper mines in the new world, begun in 1532 under the Spanish. This is the only Copper mine of any note in the entire country, it has been flooded for some decades. The Cuprites fill a vug with sharp, lustrous crystals many of which are a gemmy red color. The crystals are tightly clustered and with magnification some small areas of native copper are seen. Very close magnification also shows what seem to be very tiny Cubanite crystals (not confirmed by x-ray) in two habits. Any Cuban Cubanite is very rare, the type locale is only about 80 KM to the east, though the specie is not listed by Mindat from Cobre. With or without Cubanite this is about as fine a specimen as exists, it is certainly larger and better than those we know of in US museums. Ex. John Marshall collection (and many others).
Cuprite with Native Silver
stock #10.1-086
Rubtsovsky Mine, Rubtsovshy District
Altaiskii Krai,
Russia
4.6 x 4.6 x 4 CM (miniature)
price: $780
new year 2021
Just over a decade ago the incredible discovery of fantastic large Cuprites from Rubstovsky (Russia) was huge news in the mineral world. This is an especially choice example of a fine undamaged Cuprite with the addition of having Native Silver on some areas. Even without the Silver this is a super Cuprite, it has excellent form and luster, is in fine condition and with good lighting the inner red colors are seen on some edges and faces. This piece was found in the early discoveries, it is of a style and quality that is no longer coming out (the find may have been exhausted but there are still some coming from dealers storage). The bright luster makes this hard to show well in photos, it is far better in person and very fine for the discovery.
Cuprite -Large complex crystal on Malachite
stock #0739-JM-1693
Dikuluwe Mine, Kolwezi
Shaba,
Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)
7 x 6.6 x 3.8 CM (cabinet)
price: $880
Spring update
A large, somewhat crude red Cuprite octahedron (3.5 CM) with some unusual growth features and complex faces sets nicely on Malachite matrix. Two of the faces have odd holes (one circular, one triangular) and several parts of the crystal show stepped regrowths. Great color contrast, with backlighting the Cuprite glows a brilliant cherry red. We have not backlit the specimen as that can be misleading, but the cuprite is fully translucent and seems to be facet grade clear red inside. Ex John Marshall collection (his label and card are included) acquired in 1990 from G. Gauthier.
Cuprite with Malachite, Plancheite etc.
stock #17.1-702
Mashaba West Mine, Kolwezi Mining District
Katanga (Shaba),
Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)
5.8 x 3.7 x 3.4 CM (cabinet)
price: $460
Pre Holiday 2017
Big, dark red and lustrous Cuprite Octahedrons are nestled in light blue Plancheite and dark green Malachite. Fine contrast, esthetics and in very good condition. The backside is contacted but not damaged, pitting and face voids are natural some with Plancheite inside. Individual octahedrons are up to 1.8 CM, some with nice edge modifications quite rare at this locale. These have not been coming out for almost a decade. Choice.
Cuprite- gemmy red crystals
stock #16.1-640
Milpillas Mine, Cuitaca, Municipio de Santa Cruz
Sonora,
Mexico
6 x 4.4 x 1.7 CM (cabinet)
price: $520
Pre Holiday 2017
A well formed, bright stack of Cuprite crystals from the great Milpillas mine, better known for world class Azurites. This find of Cuprites created a big stir 2 years ago, but few were undamaged or had crystals much over a few millimeters. This piece is far better than average, in excellent condition damage wise and the crystals are stacked in an esthetic epitaxial arrangement. These octahedrons all will glow bright red with focused light passing through them, the photos here are only made with typical display lighting, so as not to be misleading. When these were first found the prices being charged were incredibly high, this is a lot more reasonable, yet a fine quality piece, by comparison a really good value.
Cuprite - large well-crystallized mass
stock #16.1-355
Red Dome Mine, Chillagoe, Tablelands Region
Queensland,
Australia
7.8 x 6.2 x 3.8 CM (cabinet)
price: $460
Spring 2017
A sizable pure mass of Cuprite, nearly all crystallized with individual crystals reaching 1.5 CM. A few small vugs have some hairy Cuprite var. Chalcotrichite, in excellent condition overall, this is a rich specimen from a classic locality. Better in person.
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