Description
2025 BCCI MM (Morenci Mine) #16
Morenci Copper Mine, AZ –
This Morenci native copper in Quartz is very rare. Native copper is an ore consisting of uncombined, pure copper metal, distinct from most copper ores which are complex compounds. It is a rare but valuable form of copper found naturally in metallic deposits. Copper and molybdenum are frequently found together with Quartz in porphyry deposits, where hydrothermal fluids deposit minerals in veins and stockworks within intrusions.
Since this mine also produces molybdenum, that metal may be the grey metal in with the copper. The rare significant pure copper veins plus the possible molybdenum in Quartz simply is rarely uncovered in a retrievable specimen. The large section I slabbed also has equally rare Malachite, Cuprite (reds and browns) and Azurite in with the metal deposits. This stone has a lot of texture as the Quartz is mostly sugary.
https://www.irocks.com/the-morenci-mine-of-arizona
This ore is technically one of the most complex stones I have worked with. Copper has a MOH’s hardness of about 3, Molybdenum about 5.5 and the sugary quartz about 7.0. The metals cut a lot faster than the quartz and this impacts the spine area the most with both the fit line and roll over from the spine to the scale flat. This ore has a lot of texture in mostly the quartz areas as this ore is sugary. I priced these by mostly my preference with the price varying from the worst texture and fit lines to the ones with the least texture, best lines and most native metal showing. The photos are very accurate as to the texture, spine fit line to the bolster and in the roll over from the spine to the flat.
This is a Brass Buck 110 clip point that I have added scales made from the Morenci Mine Copper/Molybdenum ore. The price for this knife is $405
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