Calcite with Copper

specimen number:
2062109

location:
Quincy Mine, Houghton Co., Michigan, USA

description:
Classic Michigan specimen showing a grouping of glassy gemmy colorless scalenohedral calcite crystals, these with crystallized native copper, and some native copper as inclusions. Unlike most of these, this one is in really fine condition. The specimen comes with several previous labels as shown at the end of the video, including two from the A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum in Houghton, Michigan. I am told that the DM designation on the label notes Display Mineral.

The Quincy Mine, located in Houghton County, Michigan, was one of the most important and long lived copper mining operations in the Keweenaw Peninsula, operating from 1846 until 1945. Known as "Old Reliable" for its consistent production, the mine worked native copper deposits within fissure veins cutting through basalt flows of the Keweenaw lode system. Extensive underground workings were developed, including deep shafts and miles of drifts following the copper bearing veins. In addition to its economic importance, the Quincy Mine is well known among collectors for its mineral specimens, particularly native copper associated with calcite. These specimens often feature copper in masses or crystalline forms embedded in white to translucent calcite, creating striking visual contrasts. Such pieces formed in open spaces within the veins where mineral rich fluids allowed calcite to crystallize alongside native copper, producing classic specimens highly valued for both their beauty and historical significance.

The A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum at Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan, is one of the premier mineral museums in the United States, with a history closely tied to the development of mining and geology in the Lake Superior region. The museum was established in the late 19th century and later named in honor of Arthur Edmund Seaman, a professor of mineralogy who played a key role in building the collection and advancing geological education at the university. Over time, the museum has grown to house an extensive collection of minerals, with particular strength in specimens from Michigan's Copper Country, including native copper and related minerals. It serves both as a public museum and an academic resource, supporting research, education, and outreach. Today, the A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum is recognized for its high quality displays and its importance in preserving the mineralogical heritage of the region.

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