Description
Species: Cuprite, Malachite on Calcite
Locality:Onganja Mine (Emke Mine; Emka Mine; Otjisongati Mine; Ogonja Mine), Helen Farm 235, Onganja mining area, Seeis, Windhoek Rural, Khomas Region, Namibia
Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.5 x 4.5 cm.
RESERVED
The Onganja copper mine, located in a remote region of Namibia, become an overnight “household name” in the early 1970’s when a large pocket of world-class, sharp, gemmy red cuprite crystals coated with a thin layer of malachite was discovered. With crystals up to 6+ cm, sometimes on matrix, this find re-defined what was possible for cuprite specimens, and continue to ‘set the bar’ for the species. While single cuprite crystals are occasionally seen for sale, fine specimens on matrix such as this are extremely scarce on the modern market. This excellent example features a sharp, nearly 4 cm cuprite crystal overgrown with green malachite, perched on contrasting white calcite matrix. A superb classic from a famous find. Annette Slade photo.