Copper pseudomorph after Azurite ("Copper Rose")

An excellent "floater" specimen of Copper pseudomorphing Azurite from New Mexico. These "Copper Rose" specimens are classics from the mine that bears the same name. This particular specimen is complete and pristine on all sides, showing the classic "rosette"-esque form of the original Azurite crystals which were later replaced by metallic Native Copper. The color on this specimen is unusual, as it has a slight mauve hue, which is likely to be caused by a micro amount of oxidized Cuprite on the surface of the specimen. A delightful and eye-catching thumbnail specimen of these well-known pseudomorphs.

These specimens are some of my favorite minerals in the world. They are unique in the fact that they are not only pseudomorphs, but what makes them so rare and special is the fact that you have a native metal replacing a mineral that contains that metal. Essentially these specimens started out as a deposit of Native Copper that was oxidized and combined with carbonate molecules to form crystallized "rosettes" of Azurite. Then a second deposit of Native Copper arrived, which completely coated and replaced the preexisting Azurite. It is, to the best of my knowledge, the only instance in the mineral world where a specimen starts out as a native metal, alters to a secondary mineral in an oxidized zone of said metal, and is eventually replaced by the same native metal, essentially taking it back to its original state. This is why the "Copper Roses" from New Mexico are so extraordinary.

Specimen # CUNM72004