#native copper

Native copper, Prehnite, Big Sucker Creek, MN, Photo by Frank Karasti

Native copper with partially oxidized, green surface which has replaced prior aragonite, perfectly preserving the hexagonal crystal shape.

🐬 Blue isn’t the most common color in minerals, and especially this shade of turquoise blue stands out. Blue Ajoite included Quartz with native copper, black tenorite, and colorless needles (could be colorless Ajoite). This crystal is from Messina Mine, late 1980s-early 1990s production. The cluster of needles in 3-5 colors is classic for Messina, and most crystals (like this one) had a thick crust that required polishing the faces. A fantastic collector’s piece that’s available! Dm for details.

https://www.oldearthminerals.com/shop/p/chrysocolla-native-copper-web

Probably one of the coolest things I’ve seen yet on this job. Copper metal encased in calcite crystal!!

The area I live in doesn’t have much copper.  When it comes to shiny, metallic rocks, we’re pyrite country.  But here’s some native copper I got at a rock show a while back!  It’s hard to see, but the little bits of green in this rock are serpentine!

Photo:  Ekaterina  Pakhneva

Size:  5.6 x 4.2 cm