Copper in Calcite

Quincy Mine, Quincy Township, Houghton Co., Michigan, USA
Ex. George Elling
Small Cabinet, 8.2 x 4.3 x 3.3 cm
Start Time: 01/25/2023 7:00:00 pm (CST)
End Time: 02/05/2023 5:00:00 pm (CST)
Auction Closed
Winning Bid: $1,975

Item Description

Copper-included Calcites from Michigan are a highly prized varietal for any die-hard Copper collector, but also unique on a worldwide basis and therefore desirable for any collector who wants the rarest combinations that nature produces. Superb examples such as this one are instantly recognizable as Michigan classics, the kind of thing we see in the Smithsonian or the A. E. Seaman Museum; and are Michigan Copper Country classics. Generally, they do not form big, perfect crystals. For whatever reason, most of these Copper-included Calcites are found mostly as single crystals such as this big and beautiful one mainly because in many cases, it was easier for miners to pry off and carry out the beautiful singles in their lunch boxes, and so they did. This spectacular crystal measures three inches in length and one and a half inches in width; and is transparent to translucent of high quality. It just glows a coppery orange from all of the included Copper! It is richly included, and the copper is bright - whereas most specimens lack one of the other of those requirements. There are even a few Copper crystals jutting out and present on the right side of the crystal! The backside is attached to a moderately sized sliver of altered greenish basalt mixed with a little Copper and, as we said, the matrix is a rare bonus on this specimen. It is, given the age of 100 years or more, unbelievably near pristine (it has a slight contact or damage to the back of the termination which is just not noticeable, and also could be restored if somebody wants). These old classics come to market so rarely in this quality. This piece is accompanied by a custom engraved acrylic base. Values bandied about by collectors in our office ranged from $6500 to $12500 and, in any case, that seems a fair range for such a beautiful crystal of this antique combination in this size. This is from the large old classics collection of George Elling. Custom base included.

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Bidding History

Bid Amount Bid Time
$1,975 02/05/2023 4:45:26 pm (CST)
$1,938 02/05/2023 4:45:26 pm (CST)
$1,925 02/05/2023 4:45:17 pm (CST)
$1,875 02/05/2023 4:45:17 pm (CST)
$1,825 02/05/2023 4:45:06 pm (CST)
$1,775 02/05/2023 4:45:06 pm (CST)
$1,725 02/05/2023 4:44:54 pm (CST)
$1,675 02/05/2023 4:44:54 pm (CST)
$1,625 02/05/2023 4:43:03 pm (CST)
$1,575 02/05/2023 4:34:11 pm (CST)
$1,525 02/05/2023 4:33:11 pm (CST)
$1,500 02/05/2023 4:33:11 pm (CST)
$1,450 02/05/2023 4:32:55 pm (CST)
$1,400 02/05/2023 4:32:55 pm (CST)
$1,350 02/05/2023 12:40:37 pm (CST)
$1,300 02/04/2023 12:47:19 am (CST)
$1,250 02/04/2023 12:47:19 am (CST)
$1,053 02/03/2023 11:36:21 pm (CST)
$1,003 02/03/2023 11:36:21 pm (CST)
$908 02/03/2023 11:35:59 pm (CST)
$883 02/03/2023 11:35:59 pm (CST)
$801 01/28/2023 11:39:25 pm (CST)
$776 01/28/2023 11:39:25 pm (CST)
$751 01/28/2023 9:13:38 pm (CST)
$726 01/28/2023 9:13:38 pm (CST)
$675 01/26/2023 7:31:22 pm (CST)
$650 01/26/2023 7:31:22 pm (CST)
$600 01/26/2023 7:31:02 pm (CST)
$575 01/26/2023 7:31:02 pm (CST)
$465 01/26/2023 7:30:42 pm (CST)
$455 01/26/2023 7:30:42 pm (CST)
$335 01/26/2023 12:46:18 pm (CST)
$325 01/26/2023 12:46:18 pm (CST)
$160 01/25/2023 11:21:32 pm (CST)
$150 01/25/2023 11:21:32 pm (CST)
$100 01/25/2023 9:19:34 pm (CST)