MAZ02 Azurite with Malachite
Milpillas Mine, Cuitaca, Sonora, Mexico
7.2x 4.2x 3.5 cm
$2200
A great example of azurite from Milpillas, consisting of a group of azurite crystals with beautifully contrasting malachite. The azurite crystals themselves have top luster, and with minor lighting exhibit the best "electric" blue color. This is probably my favorite piece in the update, and the relative distinctness of the crystals (combined with the green backdrop) really does set this piece apart from the standard clusters.
Milpillas started producing around 2006, and finally closed in the summer of 2020. Throughout this time, there really has been no shortage of azurite, but I have to say: good combinations of azurite with malachite were never widely available. For obvious reasons, these are probably the most sought after "format" from the mine-- the contrast of inky blue azurite with malachite is exquisite, setting them apart from the standard clumps of crystals or examples on the more common whitish matrix. These come from a pocket discovered around 2013-14, they were part of a stash that was just released. I had the good fortune of high grading it, and am offering my favorite pieces here.
