NATIVE COPPER

SPECIMEN DESCRIPTION

This fine small cabinet specimen of Native Copper with Calcite from White Pine mine in Ontonagon County, Michigan displays not only Native Copper crystals, but internal casts of Native Copper epimorphs after Calcite. In fact the majority of crystal surfaces on display are casts, with the remainder around the edges of dodecahedral Native Copper crystals, those reaching up to 9 mm across. Some white Calcite still remains in place, indicating that this specimen has not been dipped in acid, or at least not aggressively so. A few small clasts of host rock remain incorporated within the Native Copper too. The Native Copper is a fine bright metallic copper-orange colour on the crystallized surfaces, and duller orange brown elsewhere. Ex David Hardman collection (no. 517), and ex C.G. Bailey collection (no. 373).