This is a particularly rich combination specimen from the renowned 79 Mine. It features vibrant greenish-blue sprays of aurichalcite across the surface, accompanied by a minor amount of micro-botryoidal beads of teal-blue rosasite, all resting atop a dense layer of clear, sparkling hemimorphite crystals. Intermixed throughout are matte, disk-like aggregates of colourless calcite. Beneath the mineralized surface lies a hefty matrix of green smithsonite with a thin coating of of titanium-white smithsonite over top. This specimen is a very good example of association material from this classic Arizona locality and would make a fine addition to any collection focused on Arizona minerals or multi-species parageneses.
The 79 Mine, discovered in 1879, is a historic American lead-zinc deposit with a long and complex history of ownership and production. Although currently closed to the public, renewed activity under its present ownership has led to a resurgence in fine specimen recovery. The mine remains a premier source of notable Arizona minerals, particularly known for its vibrant blue hemimorphite, cuprian smithsonite, aurichalcite, and yellow wulfenite.
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