Detailed information
Species
Native Silver
Dimensions
29 x 32 x 12
mm
Weight
16 g
Locality
Wolverine Mine Wolverine, Houghton Co. Michigan, USA
Condition
No recorded repairs
Custom Stand
Yes - custom stand included
This beautiful miniature of crystallised Native Silver is from the Wolverine mine in Houghton County, a mine which began operating as early as 1882 and later became incorporated in the Mohawk Mining Company in 1923. It closed permanently just two years later in 1925 and has remained a favourite haunt of mineral collectors to this day. I spent a very pleasant but rather hot afternoon collecting here in 2005, but unfortunately found very little. Although a copper mine, specimens of Native Silver, as opposed to so called "half-breeds" of silver mixed with copper, were occasionally found, but not in large amounts I an led to understand. This robust and chunky miniature is displayed perfectly once stood vertically in its custom milled acrylic base, whereby three, thick-set lobes of crudely crystallised Native Silver project in opposite directions, like three fingers from one direction and two spread wings from another. The Native Silver appears to be largely pure in composition and displays a patchwork of silver, grey and tarnished bronze. A fabulous Native Silver from Wolverine mine, situated about 20 km north east of Houghton on the Keweenaw Peninsula, Upper Michigan.
