COPPER from Michigan

Freeform pure copper (large), White Pine Mine, MichiganNative copper is used to form these interesting sculptures. Molten copper at 2200 degrees F is poured into water-soaked straw. The straw burns away, and the copper forms solidify in the cool water. Old customs of the early miners indicate that lead was used in the above process. Fortune-telling was a New Years Day pastime - good or bad luck was determined by the shape and size of the sculpture. Following the old traditions, this sculptured copper has been proudly manufactured in Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula.

Individually measured, weighed and priced

Average 1+ ounce per set; average size, 1-3" long, per piece

Set of 2

#R-602-43  $10

#R-602-44  $10

#R-602-45  $10

#R-602-46  $10

#R-602-47  $10

#R-602-48  $10

#R-602-49  $10

#R-602-50  $10

#R-602-51  $10

#R-602-52  $10

#R-602-53  $10

#R-602-54  $10

#R-602-55  $10

#R-602-56  $10

#R-602-57  $10

#R-602-58  $10

#R-602-59  $10

#R-602-60  $10

#R-602-61  $10

#R-602-62  $10

#R-602-63  $10

#R-602-64  $10

#R-602-65  $10

#R-602-66  $10

#R-602-67  $10

#R-602-68  $10

#R-602-69  $10

#R-602-70  $10

#R-602-71  $10

#R-602-72  $10

#R-602-73  $10

#R-602-74  $10

#R-602-75  $10

#R-602-77  $10

#R-602-78  $10

#R-602-80  $10

#R-602-81  $10

#R-602-82  $10

#R-602-84  $10

PEACOCK ORE 

"Chalcopyrite" (from the Greek: "chalko" meaning "copper" and pyrite (fool's gold) means "strike fire")(CuFeS2), it is copper iron sulfide. This lovely iridescent rock is mined in Mexico. The color is caused from the copper tarnishing purple, blue and red.

#R610-A  $8

Fluorite (also called fluorspar, CaF2) is a blue and/or green mineral; some pieces fluoresce under ultra-violet light.  The fluorescence comes from the impurities of yttrium or organic matter in the crystal lattice.

#R-625-2  2-1/8 x 2-1/8 x 1-1/2"

$20  SOLD

Ricolite is a variety of serpentine with shades of green with some gray to white (talc) banding are most predominant interbanded, from Red Rock, New Mexico.  This material is mostly of a uniform fine-grained hardness which makes for some great cabbing or carving rock, most often seen in contemporary Zuni carvings. 

#R626-1  Dark and light green striped, 5-1/4" long x 2-1/4" wide x 1/4" thick

$30  SOLD

Travertine (sometimes known as travertine limestone or marble) characterized by its pitted holes and rough surface, is a terrestrial sedimentary rock is formed by the precipitation of carbonate minerals from water. Travertine comes in a  variety of colors ranging from grey to coral-red.

Travertine waterfalls exist in the U.S., in Oklahoma and Texas and in Italy and Rome, often used for buildings. The largest building in the world constructed mostly of travertine is the Coliseum in Rome. 

Travertine is commonly used stones in architecture today, and is commonly seen as facade material, wall coverings, and flooring.

#R627-1  Dark and light brown and tan striped, 4-1/4" long x 3-3/8" wide x 7/16" thick

$28  SOLD

New Mexico

Lepidolite (KLi₂Al(Al,Si)₃O₁₀(F,OH)₂) is a lilac or rose-violet colored phyllosilicate mineral of the mica group that is a secondary source of lithium

Lepidolite is an uncommon mica and has only in the past decade become available on the mineral market in large quantities. Lepidolite is an ore of lithium and forms in granitic masses. The typical violet to pink color of lepidolite is characteristic. Like other micas, has a layered structure of lithium aluminum silicate sheets weakly bonded together by layers of potassium ions. These potassium ion layers produce the perfect cleavage. Single large plates or "books" of lepidolite can have appealing violet color and make attractive mineral specimens.

#R-637-9  Opaque raspberry with sparkle, 3-3/4" long x 2-1/4" tall x 1/4" wide, polished front with flat back.

$22

#R-638-1  Medium Lepidolite specimen has lovely flat lavender shimmery surfaces; 2 1/2" x 1 1/8" x 1 1/2".  $18

#R-638-2 Small Lepidolite specimen also has a nice flat lavender surface that reflects beautifully; 2" x 1 1/4" x 1 3/8".  $12

One side polished to a gorgeous emerald green sheen

1-5/8 x 7/8"

Did you know?  That if you sand or drill malachite, it gives off a poisonous dust?  True!

CARBORUNDUM

(silicium carbide) This manmade abrasive displays a lovely sparkly iridescence.  It happens when quartz sand and carbon, with the absence of oxygen, is exposed to 2200 degrees C where it transforms quartz into a gas that penetrates the carbon and produces this abrasive rock used for cutting or just collecting! 

None for sale at this time.

Made of obsidian, a natural glass formed during volcanic eruptions.  If you are given one by a friend, it is bad luck to give it away.

Here's the Apache Native-American Legend:

"One day a party of Apache Indians was ambushed by an enemy tribe.  The Apaches fought bravely but were greatly outnumbered and were driven to the top of a very high mountain.  Their arrows were gone, and they could fight no longer.  Refusing to be taken captive, they leaped, as one, from the cliffs to the rocks below.  The Apache women, grief-stricken over the death of their brave warriors, shed torrents of tears.  The tears became petrified and turned to stone. " 

Apache tears are actually small pieces of obsidian or volcanic glass.  When held in the palm of your hand, the stone appears to be black.

When held to the light, you can see through the stone.

#R-682.  Two unpolished Apache Tears, 3/4" across each; Nevada.

$8 / set

Average 2" to 2-1/2" diameter

Boxed weight individually marked

#R685-12

8 oz  $16

#R685-21

Average 3-1/2" x 2-1/4" x 2 +

Boxed weight individually marked

#R687-6

#R687-10