TK02 Malachite ps. Cuprite (ON MATRIX!!!) 

Chessy-Les-Mines, Rhone, Rhone Alpes, France

12.3x 9.5x 6.0 cm             

$4800

I have handled a fair number of malachite ps. cuprite pseudomorphs from Chessy, but this is by far the most spectacular.

Those familiar with the locality know that the majority of specimens were produced during the 1800's, and that virtually all specimens remaining on the market exist as single crystals, off matrix.  In rare instances the cuprite pseudos occur on azurite nodules, but they are frequently weathered and occur in groups of 2 crystals at most.

This specimen is literally covered with pseudomorphs and clusters to 1.9 cm.  They are not all the sharpest, but this is certainly the best and richest matrix specimen that I have ever seen from the locality in my 15 years of collecting.

It was collected in 1984 at the mine dumps by a local collector, who recently sold it to me.  As the matrix is clay, the piece has been stabilized.