important, Very Large Copper w/ Cuprite (classic USA locale)

Item Description

Impressive, large, sculptural, floater crystallized copper from the well-known Chino Mine. The strikingly arborescent, 3-dimensional, 360-degree specimen is composed of small, very sharp, densely intergrown tetrahexahedral crystals with an overall spinel-twinned form. A brick-red cuprite coating gives the piece a rich, warm patina. Hefty copper ore at 780 grams or 1.7 pounds mass. Choice and classic large Chino Mine copper from a historic find, and something you almost never see for sale. This is large, dramatic, and important for the state. We took it in in a trade, valued at $2500-plus, and it really is quite specimen and imposing in a case. Old, rare, and a copper sure to puzzle most folks as to its origin when you see it!