Jeff Benefiel |
Arizona Chrysocolla 4.04 ctCabochon by Martin AlbertThe stone was cut and polished by Martin Albert (deceased), probably in the 80's. The rough was from the Globe Mine (I think is was the Globe "area", as I can't find a mine with that name) in Arizona. The material was just a wonderful byproduct from the Copper mines in Globe, Arizona. From what I understand the mine in which it was taken from is either played out or otherwise defunct. The rough was a thin seem, rather slab shaped, and there wasn't that much from the mine to begin with as it was nearly all "A" quality gem grade Chrysocolla. The example photographed is on the greener side of color from that batch of rough, with some examples held by Wilfy MacManus and Wanda Baczek being an amazing Tourquoise blue. I plan on setting this piece into a watch fob as remembrance of Martin Albert (the cutter). I haven't seen any pieces that compare to those cut by Marty in the 15 years I've been a jeweler. They were extremely simple but they all are semitransparent. Jeff Benefiel (7.5 mm x 19.4 mm x 4.3 mm high) |