Analcime

Unknown Owner

Sharp crystals of analcime to 1.5 cm are in size across the front of matrix. In good condition, very choice miniature for the species from this mining area. Collected in July, 2002.The Rhode Island Mine in Houghton County, Michigan, was a small copper mining operation in the historic Keweenaw copper district. Mining in the area focused on native copper deposits found in fissure veins and amygdaloidal basalt flows of the Portage Lake Lava Series. The mine was worked during the mid to late 1800s when many small companies explored copper bearing ground across the Keweenaw Peninsula. Like other mines in the district, the Rhode Island Mine produced native copper along with associated minerals such as calcite, quartz, and epidote occurring in cavities within the volcanic rock. Today the site is part of the historic copper mining landscape of northern Michigan.