Detailed information
Even more desirable than a fine crystallized Native Copper from Michigan is a Native Copper-included Calcite. This is because of their extreme rarity, but also because of their shimmering appearance. Quincy mine at Hancock, in Houghton Co. is probably the most famous occurrence, as it has produced arguably the finest larger Calcite crystals bearing these stunning metallic inclusions, but great specimens are now extremely valuable and extremely sought after. This fine miniature specimen comes from David Hardman's collection of Native Coppers and although the Calcite crystals are smaller, they provide a really great demonstration of the internal colour and metallic flashes produced when Calcite crystals overgrow Native Copper. In this instance the triangular rock matrix is shot-through with hackly Native Copper, most of which has a dull tarnish and orange-brown colour, but where several small colourless to white Calcite crystals have overgrown the Native Copper the copper metal has remained untarnished, providing a bright pale pink-orange metallic appearance of inclusions. The Calcite crystals are small scalenohedra, some grown in groups, but all showing the lovely inclusions. The main Calcite crystal looks to be very slightly contacted on its tip, but its still displays very well with the other smaller Calcite crystals around it. A little pale green Prehnite is present in association and around the edges pistachio-green Epidote can been seen also.