Description/Interesting Notes:
An incredible unique, and peculiar old time specimen from Idaho!!! This unusual specimen is labelled as "Copper Ore" from Salmon River, Idaho and is signed and dated
Charles (Chas.) E. McLane, March 30, 1871!!! This specimen appears to consist of some kind of copper ore - I am not sure if there is any
actual native copper is present here, but the black material appears superficially similar to massive chalcocite perhaps... There are certainly copper secondaries present with the
malachite (which is actually quite well crystallized in areas)!!! However, in addition to this copper ore - there are rich groups of complex orange
garnet crystals in addition to green epidote crystals!!! Much of what appears to be amorphous orange bumps in the pics are actually complex garnet crystals!!!
There are several instances where there appears to be successive growths of alternating garnet and epidote - creating cross sections of euhedral garnet crystals with
sandwiched layers of green epidote within their layers!!! Associated within these complex forms of garnet and epidote is a significant showing of crystalline malachite (some of which is quite striking under magnification) as well as
some chrysocolla!!! This specimen is perhaps one of the most intruiging mineral specimens I have come across in years!!! Upon close
study with magnification the unusual features and
curious, perplexing associations are simply mind-blowing!!! I would love to investigate this incredible mineral
mystery further, both in terms of provenance and mineralogy - alas I just don't have the time!!! Unbelievable!!! The pics don't even COME CLOSE to doing it justice!!!
Good luck and be sure to check out my other exciting mineral auctions on ebay!!!
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