Azurite with Malachite

specimen number:
8311365

location:
Milpillas Mine, Sonora, Mexico

description:

Lustrous blue crystals of azurite measuring to 2.0 cm in size on a matrix mostly covered with green crystalline malachite. This is in good condition.

The Milpillas Mine, located in the Cuitaca District of Santa Cruz, Sonora, Mexico, is a relatively modern underground operation famous for producing some of the world's finest secondary copper minerals. Geologically, it is a high-grade, supergene-enriched copper deposit associated with a porphyry system, where the oxidation of primary ores within a carbonate-rich environment led to the formation of spectacular azurite and malachite. The mine is particularly celebrated for its azurite crystals, which often appear as deep royal blue, lustrous blades frequently replaced by or intergrown with fibrous green malachite to create stunning velvet-like textures. Historically, development of the Milpillas Mine began in the early 2000s, with full-scale commercial production by the Penoles company starting in 2006. Unlike many older Mexican mines, Milpillas was specifically engineered for efficient copper cathode production via leaching, but it became an instant legend in the mineralogical community between 2006 and 2015 for the consistent recovery of world-class specimens. Although mining has transitioned into different ore zones over time, the Milpillas azurite-malachite combinations remain a modern benchmark for the species due to their incredible color contrast and sharp crystallization.

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