CUPRITE. ...

Description

CUPRITE
Onganja Mine,Onganja, Seeis, Windhoek District, Khomas Region, Namibia
An instant hit when these enormous tail-light red crystals made their first appearance during the period 1973-1974, there has been no further production since that first strike. Now considered to be "Classics" in the full sense of the term, they are usually seen as loose single crystals: groups such as this one were considerably rarer. This cluster of massive, highly transparent Cuprite crystals has had the original Malachite coating removed to display the unbelievable transparency. Most of the crystals dating from this period underwent a similar treatment. There were a number of absolutely stunning facetted stones cut from this material and this group would provide numerous cut stones were one sufficiently venal to do so. No production of these has been seen for around 35 years. It is from the Daniel Trinchillo Sr. Collection and measures 2 3/8 inches high x 3 inches wide x 1 1/8 inches thick; the largest crystal is 1 1/2 inches across. There is a custom labeled base.

Provenance: ex. Daniel Trinchillo Sr. Collection

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