Azurite, Lavender Open Pit Mine, Bisbee, Arizona, USA

The Lavender Pit is well known to mineral collectors. A former copper mine, this area in Bisbee Arizona ceased mining operations in 1974. Covering an area of 1.2 kilometres and approximately 250 metres deep, this mining operation at one stage produced 600,000 tonnes of copper annually, with gold and silver as by-products.

Within the upper-oxidized portions of copper ore, The Lavender Pit has become legendary for producing outstanding Azurite specimens of the most striking electric blue. The presented piece is a brilliant representaion of the Azurite specimens The Lavender Pit is famous for. At cabinet size, the Botryoidal Azurite crystals on the display face glow in the hand with a layering of rich Chrysocolla. A very solid and stable piece, the rear face combines the bright Azurite blue with soft green Malachite. A well rounded, visually captivating Azurite specimen in great condition from a world famous Azurite Locality.