Azurite (classic "rose" specimen)

Item Description

The well-known Blue Grotto Mine (Prospect) in southeastern Utah is famous for its highly attractive Azurite "roses". These specimens are some of the most eye-catching Azurites you'll find from any US locality outside of Arizona. These are highly representative minerals from Utah, regardless of locality for their excellent size, color, luster and quality. This piece features a particularly attractive and fine quality "rose"-shaped group comprising sharp, rather lustrous, well-formed crystals of Azurite, aesthetically sitting on Malachite and oxidized matrix. The "rose itself measures 4.7 cm at its widest dimension. Perhaps the most impressive feature is the fact that the crystals are deep blue color, and not a light faded blue that you can sometimes see in other Azurite "roses". No real damage of note on the display side, and a fantastic small cabinet display specimen of these classic and now very hard to find Azurites. For reference, this locality was mined out in the 1980s, so no more will be found like this. Valued at $3,500 retail for size, quality and overall visual appeal. From the collection of Richard ("Rich") A. Kosnar (1946-2007), one of the greatest mineral dealers of his day and the namesake for the phosphate species Kosnarite