Cuprite

$3,500.00

$40.00 shipping
Seller offers an extended return window of up to 30 days
Ships from USA

This stunning copper-bearing specimen shows an exceptionally rare transformation in exquisite detail -that of sharp octahedral Cuprite crystals totally replaced, or pseudomorphed by Native Copper. This remarkable geochemical shift was found preserved in specimens at Rubtsovskoe Cu-Zn-Pb Deposit at Rudnyi Altai, Western-Siberian Region, Russia in 2011, but the mine closed just four years later. Although perhaps not unique, the quality of these pseudomorphs was uniquely fine compared with anything previously known and became instant classics, hoovered up by mineral collectors. Most specimens were in the miniature size range with cabinet-sized display specimens of this quality extremely rare. Not only does it display extremely well, with wonderfully sharp, well-defined orange, metallic, Native Copper replacements after perfect octahedral Cuprite crystals to 1.6 cm on edge, but these stunning pseudomorphs can be seen to be made up of hundreds of individual sharp, pointed Native Copper crystals, laid like scales. These magnificent pseudomorphs sit upon a matrix at the base, of the original Cuprite, providing the full geochemical story. A simply stunning display specimen from this unique occurrence.