Azurite on Malachite (late 1800s)

$2,000.00

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The ArkenstoneFeatured

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A hefty and showy, colorful specimen of historic Bisbee azurite and malachite, unique in that it features several azurite styles on it. There is an upper a surface of intact azurite crystals upon gorgeous, historically classic banded malachite; and also a pocket within featuring more typical azurite "balls" within. The piece is a 3-dimensional carving, and it is polished expertly on both sides by master lapidary Bud Standley, who specializes in working with copper minerals. A native of Arizona, lapidary artist Bud Standley grew up near the copper mines. He learned to carve gemstones in 1971, at age 19; and did all the work for the Larson family when they obtained the Ben Williams Bisbee collection; and also for Wayne Thompson with Morenci azurite. Ben Williams became the General Manager of the Copper Queen from 1882 to 1889 and had a stunning personal collection that was only relatively recently brought to market by the Larson's circa 2000; after staying in a family descendant's attic for nearly a century. While they sold much of the collection at that time, this update features pieces from the Ben Williams collection, from the late 1800s, that were kept back another 2 decades in the collection of Bill Larson as a special suite. We most love these few specimens that show both natural pockets AND the lapidary beauty of the rough raw rock they form within. 154 grams.