Cuprite

Cuprite

 A minor ore of copper, copper oxide, Cu2O, rarely used for jewelry because of low Mohs hardness of 3.5 to 4.  AKA ruby copper.  First described  by Wilhelm Ritter von Haidinger in 1845.  

Cuprite

This sample from Ray Mine, Ray, Arazona.   The crystal surfaces are highly reflective.  In this shot without a softbox the reflections appear as clusters of needles.

Cuprite

One deposit in Seeis, Namibia from which I have no samples yields crystals both large enough and of gem quality.  It is the only location world wide where these type large crystals are recovered.

Thanks to Wikipedia and Mindat.org for the information provided.

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