Detailed information
Species
Native Copper
Dimensions
65 x 45 x 27
mm
Locality
5150 Bench, East Pit Chino Mine, Santa Rita Mining District Grant County, New Mexico, USA
Condition
No recorded repairs
This might be a miniature to large miniature Native Copper, but wow it is full of character and significance. Firstly, it is from one of the most famous of copper mines in the Western United States - Chino Mine, New Mexico - said to be where the techniques in copper mining in the southwest were first developed. The first open pit mine started in 1910 and mining continues to this day. This specimen is from single discovery at 5150 Bench, East Pit, reportedly made in the early 2000s, containing articulated Native Copper crystals of the most intricate of forms. Specimens from that find are richly crystallized in a form never before seen in New Mexico. Some of the branching forms of Native Copper from that discovery have been given names - "the Phoenix" is one that springs to mind - but this one has no name. It is certainly unique, and has the look of an irate warrior, or animal, ready to charge into battle. Whatever you think, there is no doubting the quality of this form of crystallization and its rarity amongst American Native Copper specimens.