Cuprite

Unknown Owner

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A superb miniature with fat, sharp crystals in a balanced cluster, that is complete all around. There is only contact, a small area where it touched matrix, on a small spot in the rear-bottom. It is pristine otherwise, all around. The crystals reach 3 cm across. This is one of the best miniatures we have seen, and it has the very rare translucent surface which only about 1 in 100 cuprites from this find possess (when very strongly backlit, it is 1-2 mm translucent). The luster is also very high on this style, like glass and more than on the other style of cuprite from the locale. A small trace of associated silver is present. The overall symmetry, luster, and beauty of this piece is hard to describe in photos - suffice to say that we have handled or seen over a thousand pieces from this production, including what I am sure are the best specimens in a very high price range, and this piece ranks with them for quality. It is, I believe, one of the finest miniatures produced.