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Azurite

Milpillas Mine; Cuitaca, Mun. de Cᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚananea, Sonora, Mexi🎉co

Live auction begins on:

July 16, 02:00 PM GMT

Estimate

10,000 - 15,000 USD

Bid

7,000 USD

Lot Details

Description

Azurite

Milpillas Mine; Cuitaca, Mun. de Cananea, Sonora, Mexico


6 x 5 x 4 cm (2⅜ x 2 x 1⅝ inches). 64 grams (.14 l📖b).

From the now-legendary Milpillas Mine in Sonora, Mexico, this exceptional specimen of Azurite on Malachite represents the pinnacle of the species—among the most visually striking and structurally refined cr🌠ystal examples ever unearthed. Discovered in a copper deposit that surged to global acclaim beginning in the early 2000s, the azurite crystals from༒ Milpillas redefined the standard for the species. Not only do they rival—but in many cases surpass—the finest historical examples from Tsumeb, Namibia and Bisbee, Arizona in both luster and color saturation.


This particular crystal is a rare convergence of geometry, optical brilliance, and geological transformation. A sharply defined, doubly terminated azurite crystal sits perfectly poised on a matrix richly coated with powdery microcrystalline malachite, creating striking visual contrast: deep, lustrous blue against vivid green. What distinguishes this piece—and many of the finest from Milpillas💎—is its captivating electric blue coloration, a tone rarely seen in azurite from other localities.


This color phenomenon arises from a complex multi-stage pseudomorph process. The original azurite formed as the first mineralogical expression in the pocket. Later, this crystal was altered to malachite through chemical replacement. Finally, a tertiary growth of azurite 💖redeposited atop the malachite pseudomorph✃. Remarkably, this new azurite layer formed with such structural fidelity that it mimicked the original crystal habit exactly. A microscopically-thin layer of empty space lies between the secondary malachite pseudo and the final azurite layer, resulting in an optical effect where incoming light passes through the thin azurite, reflects off the chatoyant malachite layer beneath, and returns to the viewer as an ethereal electric glow. This optical behavior is almost unique to Milpillas and explains the luminous, unearthly color of its finest examples.


The host matriꦰx, composed of altered limestone, is encrusted with radial sprays and coatings of fibrous malachite, lending the specimen a painterly texture and intensifying the chromatic contrast. Unlike more aggregated or jumbled examples, this crystal stands out for its architectural integrity—with crystal isolation, doubly-terminated form, and sharp facets, making it a showpiece.


Geologically, the deposit at Milpillas formed in asso💮ciation with copper mineralization during the Laramide Orogeny, approximately 65 to 80 million years ago (Late Cretaceous to early Paleogene), when tectonic compression and associated hydrothermal activity produced the oxidized zone that gave rise to these copper-rich secondary minerals. Though commercial copper extraction was the primary purpose of the mine, its oxidized zone—accessed via underground development starting around 2004—yielded a limited number of azurite pockets before being fully depleted, sealing its place in mineral history.


Historica🎀lly, azurite has captivated humans for millennia. Its brilliant blue pigment was ground into powders and used as a natural dye in ancient Egyptian cosmetics, Chinese wall frescoes, and European Renaissance paintings. Known as “mountain blue” or “blue bice”, it served as a favored pigment until synthetic ultramarine became available. Its vivid hue and association with copper gave it both aesthetic and material value across cultures.


In the world of modern crystal and mineral collecting, few species occupy the same level of visual impact as azuri🧸te—and among azurites, few localities produce material as dramatic, refined, and vibrant as Milpillas. This specimen is unmistakably of that pedigree: a contemporary classic, that links geologic artistry, mineralogical science, and historical reverence in a single form.

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