Native Copper: Chino mine, Grant County, New Mexico, USA

Description

Species: Native Copper (lightly stabilized)

Locality: 5150 Bench, East Pit, Chino Mine, Bayard, Grant County, New Mexico, USA

Dimensions: 9 x 4.5 x 4 cm.

This is a fine group of well-crystallized spinel-twinned copper crystals from the 5150 Bench, East Pit, Chino Mine, near Bayard, Grant County, New Mexico, USA. The Chino mine is known for it’s world-class native copper crystals, which have not been found in significant examples since around 2011. I was lucky to recently obtain a small lot of excellent crystallized coppers from this famous locality. Unlike many coppers from Chino, these have not been chemically cleaned and have a beautiful and 100% natural cuprite and tenorite (red to black) patina. This piece is highly 3-dimensional and has good aesthetics, luster and patina. It has been lightly stabilized and could be a bit further stabilized if desired, but is totally displayable and solid as-is. The main spinel twin surrounded by a “nest” of sharp smaller crystals is very aesthetic! Mark Cross photo.