Azurite

specimen number:
9506540

location:
Milpillas Mine, Cuitaca, Santa Cruz, Sonora, Mexico

description:

Thick lustrous bladed crystals of azurite measuring to 2.0 cm in size across this brecciated matrix. Minimal micro-chipping present, this is in good condition.

The Milpillas Mine, situated in the municipality of Santa Cruz within the prolific Cananea District of Sonora, Mexico, is a major modern copper producer operated by Industrias Peñoles. Although initial exploration began decades earlier, the deposit was discovered beneath deep alluvial gravels and commercial production officially commenced in 2006. Geologically, Milpillas is a supergene-enriched porphyry copper deposit located within a down-dropped Basin and Range graben, where extensive oxidation of primary sulfide ores created rich secondary mineral zones. Mineralogically, the mine achieved legendary status among global collectors for yielding some of the finest secondary copper specimens ever recovered, most notably electric-blue azurite crystals, vibrant malachite pseudomorphs after azurite, and pristine brochantite.

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