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Native Copper With Calcite

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PCZ209412

Native Copper With Calcite

Description Tabs

Description
Locality: 
Bufa Mine, La Bufa, Batopilas Municipality, Chihuahua, Mexico
Size Range: 
Miniature (4.5-7 cm)
Size: 
6.3 × 4.5 × 4.5 cm
Description

This specimen has resided in my collection for a number of years having acquired it directly from a Mexican miner and collector in one of many exchanges. It has only recently become aware to me, after some research, of its rarity. It consists of old material found in the 1950s or before of which few specimens have been seen for sale over the years. La Buffa is one of the few places where you get copper in calcite! This matrix specimen features gemmy, crystals of "nail head spar" to 1.3 cm in length, inter-grown with dendritic copper. Some of the copper has a lovely greenish patina. In a few cases the copper has actually included the calcite. A specimen of this material (approx. twice the size) was recently on offer through Minfind at $1450 (presumably now bought).

Mineral Data
What's on the rock

Copper

Formula: 
Cu
Strunz: 
1.AA.05
Crystal System: 
Isometric
Hardness: 
2.5 - 3.0

Calcite

Polymorph of: 
Formula: 
CaCO3
Strunz: 
5.AB.05
Crystal System: 
Trigonal
Hardness: 
3.0
Streak: 
White
Peter Crozier Minerals