Copper pseudomorph after Azurite ("Copper Rose")

This is a superb "floater" "Copper Rose" pseudomorph specimen from the only place in the world where they are found. Not only is the piece pristine and undamaged, but there are two additional and important aspects that make it stand out from others I've seen from this locality. First, the individual blades of the "rose" are incredibly SHARP and distinct, which is unlike many others I've seen from this locale, as they can be somewhat "lumpy" and rounded after they have pseudomorphed back to Copper. Furthermore, each blade is notably well separated from the other, so they are not tightly intergrown, which is remarkably rare in my experience with this material. The crystals are also big, broad and distinct, with that gorgeous antique patina and a slightly reddish hue on the surface. A fantastic example of this classic material, and definitely one of the better pieces I've seen in terms of sharpness and fine crystallization.

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 # CUNM72007