LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2008 January Signature Natural History #5000  / 

48231

Malachite pseudomorph after Azurite

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Rocks, Fossils & Minerals Start Price:1,050.00 USD Estimated At:1,500.00 - 1,800.00 USD
Malachite pseudomorph after Azurite
<B>MALACHITE PSEUDOMORPH AFTER AZURITE</B></I><BR> <I>Ongangja Mine, Seeies, Namibia</B></I><BR>At one time sizable crystals of Azurite; the less stable form of copper carbonate, were part of the upper ore zone at Ongangja. Time and ground water altered the chemistry but not the external form of these azurites. The result, seen here, has the correct shape for an azurite crystal but instead of being a proper, indigo-blue, the material has altered to green malachite. The smooth, shiny exterior of the azurite is now an irregular, fibrous and chatoyant mass of tiny malachite prisms. When a given material alters chemically to another compound while retaining the exterior form of the first compound; the result is termed a pseudomorph. When rotated, the chatoyant surface of this pseudomorph displays a constantly shifting pattern of light and dark areas much like green velvet. Probably mined in the 1970's this beautiful and rare specimen has graced the collections of noted dealer and collector Al McGuiness of San Mateo, CA (collection #595A) and Ed David of Bedminster, New Jersey (collection #23AD). It measures 2 ½ inches in height by 1 1/8 inches across by 1 inch thick. A very fine and pristine example of a malachite pseudomorph.<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Requires 3rd Party Shipping (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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