Kinoite with Apophyllite

specimen number:
2062971

location:
Christmas Mine, Gila Co., Arizona, USA

description:
The top side of matrix is covered with brilliant blue micro crystals of kinoite. Sparkling colorless micro crystals of apophyllite are present as well. Classic material for the species and locality. In good condition. The specimen comes with a previous label from the collection of Ray DeMark.

Located in the Banner Mining District of Gila County, the Christmas Mine was discovered around 1880 and operated intermittently as both an underground and open-pit copper producer until 1982. Geologically, the deposit sits within a complex skarn system where Laramide-age granodiorite intrusions altered Paleozoic limestone and older sedimentary sequences, creating a rich environment for copper and associated base metal ores. The mine is especially famous among mineral collectors for kinoite, a rare copper silicate mineral that forms striking, deep-blue crystal clusters and plates coating fractures within the altered skarn matrix.

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