Although not the most attractive of specimens, there is certainly plenty to enjoy in this busy miniature Native Silver on Native Copper from the Calumet & Hecla mine in Houghton County, Michigan, USA. A 3 cm long Native Copper crystal sits on a fragment of appears to be fine-grained red granite, what I suppose is a clast from within the ancient conglomerates in which this orebody is hosted. Overgrowing the Copper are crude crystals of Native Silver, all highly tarnished to shades of dark grey and black with just the occasional pinprick of silver. Overgrowing one side of the matrix is massive white translucent Calcite. The appearance of the red matrix through the Calcite gives the appearance of Native Copper included in Calcite but, as described, is not the case. The Copper crystal displays most attractive reticulated striations etched across its surfaces.

Known provenanceKnowing where your specimen comes from and who owned it adds to its story and value. Good provenance helps prove it's authentic and preserves important details about its discovery.

Crystal Classics

Tucson, Arizona, USA