Malachite ps. Azurite

Unknown Owner

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Malachite has sharply replaced azurite on this remarkable large miniature, from the early 1900's and the first oxide zone at Tsumeb (which dates this prior to the 1930s). Tsumeb malachites from the first oxidation zone, in some cases, developed these remarkable banded chevron-like patterns on the surface. This sharp, complete specimen shows off dramatic patterning and has excellent color, iconic for this rare style (which I do not believe occurs elsewhere). Most Tsumeb malachite pseudomorphs are rounded by the elements, or by the simple lack of perfect fidelity in the process where malachite replaced the original azurite crystals molecule by molecule over long time, but the crystals here remained sharp - already something of a rarity and making the piece collectible even without the dramatic patterns. Such sharp crystals, on their own merit, would be desirable, but the patterning in other words takes it to the next level. ex Howard Belsky personal collection (Howard was an East Coast dealer and collector in the 1980s, with superb taste, who sadly passed away very young: http://minrec.org/labels.asp?colid=1707). Joe Budd photos.