Cuprite

specimen number:
8311484

location:
Rubtsovsk Mine, Rubtsovsky, Altai Krai, Russia

description:

Superb cluster of lustrous deep red octahedral cuprite crystals. This is in good condition all around.

The Rubtsovsk Mine, located in the Rubtsovsky District of Altai Krai, Russia, is a remarkable polymetallic deposit situated within the historic Rudny Altai mineral belt. Geologically, it is a volcanic-hosted massive sulfide deposit characterized by a remarkably deep and rich oxidation zone that developed over primary lead, zinc, and copper ores. The mine is world-renowned for its extraordinary specimens of cuprite, which occur as sharp, semi-lustrous to lustrous octahedral crystals found as singles, in groups, and sometimes on a matrix of crystallized native copper. Historically, mining and quarrying operations at the Rubtsovsk Mine gained significant attention in the early 2000s, specifically between 2005 and 2008, when the discovery of a major vug produced what are considered some of the finest cuprite specimens in modern history. Although the primary focus of the operation was the industrial extraction of base metals, the sudden influx of world-class mineral specimens made it a legendary locality for collectors. As of 2026, while the peak period of specimen production has passed, the Rubtsovsk Mine remains a key reference site for secondary copper mineralization and continues to be documented for its unique geological conditions and historical output.

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