Copper in Calcite

Copper in Calcite

Phoenix Mine

Keweenaw County

Michigan

Size: Miniature

This super piece features “new-penny” bright native copper inclosed within scalenohedral crystals of calcite.   The specimen was formerly in the mineral collection of S.B. Whiting, General Manager of the Calumet & Hecla Mine (1892-1893) and was subsequently donated to the collection of the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences.   The specimen was found in the Phoenix Mine, a prolific mine which produced over 17 million pounds of copper.   The Phoenix is the source of some of the finest native copper, native silver, and copper in calcite specimens known from the Keweenaw Peninsula.

The specimen has a matrix of native copper, prehnite, and epidote which has been graced with about a dozen “dog-tooth” calcite crystals that are heavily invested with native copper.    The specimen is a "box buster" miniature with individual calcite crystals over 2 cm in length.   A very attractive and historic specimen.  

Price: $10,000.00  net