Description/Interesting Notes:
A rare, old time example of "gold-copper" ore from this unusual island locality!!!
Cedros Island is an unusual locality located nearly 62 miles (100 km) off the coast of Baja California and the gold & copper mining
was only active from 1890 until 1917!!! This specimen is labeled simply
as "gold-copper ore" and upon close inspection (under the scope) can be seen to
be comprised of several metallic species of varying hues!!! There are clearly several different species present including what
are likely bornite, chalcopyrite, pyrite, and several others - this specimen is a solid, dense piece of ore with a lot going on!!!
All of the rare mineral species that contain both gold and copper were identified decades after these
mines were closed and with specimens from these mines being so rare it is unlikely that these rich and unusual ore samples were
ever studied in detail!!! This unusual locality shares some
underlying geological features with Bisbee (home of some rare and unusual gold-copper species like kostovite, bogdanovite, etc.)!!!
While this specimen
is a significant rarity in and of itself simply as a Gold-Copper Ore specimen from
this unusual old locality, it is a very exciting candidate for further analysis as well!!! This specimen has not been further identified since its original labelling around
the 1900's so while it is possible this specimen could be as simple as a combination of
copper-ore species with gold present as an
impurity or micro-associate, it is also possible that there could be come exciting rare gold-copper species present as well!!!
This specimen
retains an old Michigan College of Mines label and affixed catalogue number as
well as an old affixed paper label (with illegible info)!!! This is a very rare
opportunity indeed - you do not want to miss out on this
specimen!!! Must be seen in person to be fully appreciated!!!
The pics hardly do it justice!!! Must be seen in person to be fully appreciated!!!
Good luck and be sure to check out my other exciting mineral auctions on ebay!!! STAY TUNED!!! MORE AUCTIONS WILL BE ADDED SATURDAY NIGHT FOR A SPECIAL 5-DAY AUCTION, ENDING THURSDAY JANUARY 26th!!!
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