Cuprite var. Chalcotrichite

Item Description

Cuprite (variety Chalcotrichite) is one of those " How did it survive?" minerals where you have to wonder how it formed and waited to be found for millions of years! This piece features 'woven' clusters of interlaced, electric-red, acicular "needles" of Chalcotrichite nestled in vugs on the underlying matrix. The Chengmenshan Mine is a huge copper, molybdenum, and gold open pit mine, so you can imagine why delicate specimens such as this lovely Chalcotrichite are scarce. The largest Chalcotrichite-filled vug is 2.3 cm across, and it is filled with criss-crossing red needles. They are beautiful, and a marvel to look at up close. Rich, quality specimens such as this are hard to come by. Gorgeous, and because of the shape of it, we can ship it safely. From our special collection sale, direct to auction, of choice material from the collection of Richard Rossi, East Coast collector and Mineralogical Record Fellow.