Copper pseudomorph after Azurite ("Copper Rose")

Brian Kosnar Mineral Classics Verified independent store

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This is an outstanding "floater" "Copper Rose" pseudomorph specimen from the only place in the world where they are found. The piece is damage-free and dramatic with its striking a esthetics and form. It is important to stress the fine quality of the piece from the standpoint of the fact that the individual blades of the "rose" are unbelievably SHARP and distinct, which is unlike many others I've seen from this locale, as they can be somewhat "lumpy" and rounded after they have pseudomorphed back to Copper. Furthermore, each blade displays exceptional separation from the other, so they are not tightly intergrown, which is particularly rare in my experience with this material. The piece is so showy and three-dimensional, it truly stands out as one of the best I've seen in terms of quality, sharpness, form and top-notch crystallization. I would say that this one is certainly worthy of being called a "competition quality" display piece. These specimens are some of my favorite minerals in the world. They are unique in the fact that they are not only pseudomorphs, but what makes them so rare and special is the fact that you have a native metal replacing a mineral that contains that metal. Essentially these specimens started out as a deposit of Native Copper that was oxidized and combined with carbonate molecules to form crystallized "rosettes" of Azurite. Then a second deposit of Native Copper arrived, which completely coated and replaced the preexisting Azurite. It is, to the best of my knowledge, the only instance in the mineral world where a specimen starts out as a native metal, alters to a secondary mineral in an oxidized zone of said metal, and is eventually replaced by the same native metal, essentially taking it back to its original state. This is why the "Copper Roses" from New Mexico are so extraordinary. Specimen # CUNM72011 Show more