Cuprite with Silver

A nice specimen of a cuprite with silver from Russia, Altai, from the locality of Rubtsovskoe. Cuprite is made of dark gray, metallic shiny, red translucent at the edges and under light, dipyramidal, nicely demarcated crystals reaching a size of up to 2,35 cm, which intersect with each other and form a whole double-sided pattern. Among the crystals of cuprite grow silver-white mossy and spongy aggregates of pure silver. An interesting combination.

Origin	Asia » Russia » Altai » Rubtsovskoe department
Size category	Miniature (4-7 cm)
Size	6,1 x 4,3 x 5,3 cm
Weight	315 g
The biggest crystal	2,35 x 1,9 x 0,8 cm

Cuprite

Cuprite was named in 1845 by W.K. von Haidinger after the Latin cuprum - copper. However, the mineral was known before, but under different names. Cuprite occurs as an oxidation product of copper sulfides, often with pure copper, malachite, azurite, chalkosine, limonite. It is also found in deposits of porphyry Cu ores, in sedimentary deposits or in the cavities of some volcanics. They usually form granular, fibrous, earthy to solid aggregates or form crystals in the shape of a cube, octahedron or dodecahedron. The color is brownish red, red, lead to gray, black.

Cuprite with Silver

Cuprite

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