URI5 Copper ps. Cuprite

Poteryaevskoe Mine, Altaiskiy Kray, Western Siberian Region, Russia
1.8x 1.7x 1.4 cm

$185

A single crystal of cuprite that has pseudomorphed to copper.  There is still a bit of cuprite visible in a couple spots, making for an interesting reminder of what it once was. 

This area has been producing cuprite for about 3 years now, but in 2011 there were also finds of these very interesting pseudomorphs.  The prices on these things have been consistently high-- unlike the cuprites which came out in massive quantities (and whose prices have moderated somewhat as a result), these pseudomorphs were only found towards the end of work in the cuprite-bearing zone (which is now finished), and in relatively small quantities.  In other words, these wont get any cheaper, only more expensive.