Brochantite
Unknown Owner
Attractive green prismatic crystals of brochantite coming off matrix. Nice example for the species, in good condition.The Milpillas Mine, located in the Cuitaca area of Sonora, Mexico, is a modern copper mine renowned for producing some of the world's most spectacular secondary copper minerals. Geologically, it is a high-grade, supergene-enriched porphyry copper deposit buried under several hundred meters of post-mineral gravels and volcanic rocks. This deep burial protected the oxidation zone from erosion, allowing for the formation of incredible secondary minerals as copper-rich solutions reacted with the surrounding rocks. The brochantite from Milpillas is exceptional, occurring as intensely saturated, emerald-green prismatic crystals that often exhibit a brilliant vitreous luster and can reach several centimeters in length. Historically, the deposit was discovered in the 1990s through sophisticated geophysical prospecting, as there were no surface outcroppings. The Penoles mining company began development in the early 2000s, with full-scale underground production starting in 2006. While the mine's primary industrial output is copper cathode via solvent extraction and electrowinning, it became an instant legend in the mineral collecting community between 2006 and the mid-2010s for its world-class specimens of brochantite, azurite, and malachite.
Product details
SizeMiniature
Dimensions3.3 x 2.5 x 0.5 cm
Added on05/01/2026
Locality
Known provenance
| Date | Collector | Acquisition price |
|---|---|---|
| 05/2026 | Unknown Owner | $200.00 |
| — | Weinrich Minerals | Not disclosed |
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Mineral guide
Learn about Brochantite
emerald-green prisms and silky sprays of a copper sulfate hydroxide; valued for vivid color, varied crystal habits, and copper-collection appeal.
Regional guide
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