Copper

specimen number:
1791255

location:
Phoenix Mine, Keweenaw Co., Michigan, USA

description:
A spongy crystallized grouping of native copper. In good condition, nice thumbnail for this classic locality.

The Phoenix Mine, located in northern Keweenaw County, Michigan, was established in 1844 as one of the earliest commercial copper mining operations on the Keweenaw Peninsula. Operating with intermittent closures until 1905, the site extracted native copper and silver from a series of mineralized fissure veins cutting across ancient volcanic formations. Geologically, the area is defined by the massive Greenstone basalt flow and associated layered volcanic beds formed during the Midcontinent Rift. The mine became internationally famous among mineral collectors for producing world-class, highly crystallized specimens of native copper alongside various secondary amygdaloidal minerals.

Questions about this specimen?
Send an email or call us: 314-341-1811.