Copper pseudomorph after Aragonite on Copper sheet (rare matrix piece)

Corocoro District, Pacajes Province, La Paz Department, Bolivia
Large Cabinet, 16.6 x 14.3 x 2.2 cm
Start Time: 01/03/2019 6:45:00 pm (CST)
End Time: 01/10/2019 6:45:00 pm (CST)
Auction Closed

Item Description

Here is a very attractive large cabinet size specimen of the famous pseudomorphs of Copper after Aragonite from Corocoro. These specimens are well known from Bolivia for their great form and color, and this piece has the classic and unique pseudohexagonal (cyclic twinned) form that has made these pieces some of the most well known and highly sought after pseudomorphs around. The largest pseudomorphs measures 1.0 cm across, and is a fine example of this material with SHARP faces and textbook form, but the most IMPRESSIVE aspect of the piece is that it is sitting on a thin sheet of Native Copper creating a rarely seen MATRIX SPECIMEN of this beautiful material. Pieces this size with such sharp pseudomorphs on matrix are virtually unheard of. This piece was mined circia 2007, and there hasn't been any significant amount of these specimens on the market in approximately 35 years. They are typically only found in old collections. It has come to my attention that a Korean mining company has purchased the area around Corocoro to mine exclusively for Copper, and it will be very difficult to obtain new material as long as they're in production, as all specimens will be smelted down and destroyed. Valued at $1,500 in the inventory.

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