Native Copper and Cuprite

The mere mention of Wheal Gorland sets the pulse racing amongst even the most seasoned collectors of Cornish minerals and it is perhaps the most famous of all Cornish mines.  Only about 2 km east of Redruth, this old copper mine first began operations around 1790 and quickly became famous for its rare copper arsenate minerals.  This excellent specimen is typical of the upper deposits of the orebody, rich in well crystallised octahedral Cuprite interlaced with Native Copper.  The specimen is rich in both species and forms a porous open gossan with naturally corroded milky Quartz.  Hundreds of octahedral Cuprite crystals of 1 to 2 mm pervade the specimen, all dark maroon, the edges of which turn crimson when backlit.  A terrific Cuprite and Native Copper from Wheal Gorland in Cornwall.