Detailed information
Species
Native Copper, Quartz
Dimensions
68 x 104 x 22
mm
Weight
106 g
Locality
Kearsarge Mine, Kearsarge Calumet Township Houghton County, Michigan, USA
Condition
No recorded repairs
Kearsarge mine, located between Calumet and Allouez in Houghton County, Michigan, opened in 1886 and worked the Kearsarge Lode successfully for over a decade before being taken over by the Osceola Consolidated Mining Company who split it into two separate operations (North and South). Both mines closed in 1930/1931 but North Kearsarge reopened during the Second World War and had one final flourish of activity from 1942 to 1956. Known primarily as a source of some of the richest Native Silver specimens in the district, it also produced some very nicely crystallized Native Copper specimens. This cabinet-sized specimen is very well crystallized, albeit with smaller (2 to 3 mm) crystals. These crystals are equant and extremely well-defined, and having the blend of rich Native Copper dispersed through white vein Quartz provides a wonderful contrast. The Native Copper displays a fine old-time patina with one area showing a coating of malachite. Ex David Hardman collection, no. 3433.