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Azurite with Malachite$1,800.00
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Ask any experienced mineral collector what the most famous Azurite locality in Australia is an they will more than likely come up with the name Burra Burra mine. Situated in North Mt Lofty Ranges in South Australia it one of Australia's most famous copper mines, both for its production history and preserved mineral specimens. Started in 1845, it worked a very extensive zone of supergene (oxidized) copper ore through opencast operations. The earliest phase of mining 1845 to 1877 produced the highest ore grades (700,000 tons, averaging 7 % Cu) from copper carbonate ores (Azurite and Malachite). Specimens spread around the world during the late 19th century, entering most major museum collections. Many show a nodular form, paler, or none existent on the outside, but with a geode interior lined with glossy deep blue crystals. This small cabinet specimen comes from the David Hardman collection and although its background is not known, David exchanged widely with British museums during the 1970s. Externally, it is a gossanous (Goethite-rich) nodule but internally it displays the textbook Burra Burra Azurite-lined geode, the Azurite crystals being beautifully glossy and well-formed. Towards the centre of the cavity green velvety Malachite coats the Azurite and also appears to show the early stages of replacement, or pseudomorphism. A true Australian classic and very displayable too.
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