Azurite with Dickite

specimen number:
8282103

location:
Milpillas mine, Santa Cruz, Sonora, Mexico

description:

Brilliant blue crystals of azurite measuring to 1.3 cm in size attractively set up on a white coated dickite matrix. This is in really good condition with just slight micro-chipping along one edge at the upper left of the piece. The color contrast makes for an attractive specimen.

The Milpillas Mine, located in Sonora, Mexico, is a modern underground copper mining operation developed in the early 21st century to exploit a high grade deposit hosted in limestone. The mineralization formed through hydrothermal processes and was later enriched by supergene alteration, creating zones rich in secondary copper minerals. Mining has focused on extracting copper from these enriched zones using underground methods. In addition to its economic importance, Milpillas became world famous among mineral collectors for its exceptional azurite specimens. The azurite typically occurs as deep blue, highly lustrous crystals, often forming sharp prismatic shapes and complex clusters of remarkable quality. These crystals developed in open cavities within the oxidized zone, where copper rich solutions allowed for slow and well formed growth. Specimens from Milpillas are widely regarded as among the finest azurite ever discovered, making the mine a premier modern mineral locality.

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