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Cuprite image 1
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Lot 1226

Cuprite

26 – 27 October 2020, 11:00 PDT
Los Angeles

Sold for US$1,402.50 inc. premium

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Cuprite

Mined in Namibia
Faceted by Haus Lorenz
Idar-Oberstein, Germany

Miners extracting Copper ore in massive quantities broke into a series of open fissures along a vein system, deep within the underground workings of the Onganja Mine in Namibia during the 1970s. These cavities were lined with stout, green crystals with blood red, transparent interiors. It was quickly determined that the cores were composed of the pure Copper oxide mineral: Cuprite, over-coated with green Malachite. As ubiquitous as Copper minerals are, very few localities ever produce transparent Cuprite crystals of any size. The present stone is a rich red, oval-cut cuprite having characteristic metallic luster, RHC4318. The stone was custom-cut by rare gemstone cutter Haus Lorenz of Idar Oberstein from rough that Rock provided. Weighing approximately 14.16 carats and measuring 13.60 x 11.51 x 7.28 mm

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