Native Copper and Quartz

A sculptural specimen of native copper in association with quartz and epidote from the Mass Mine, Shaft C, Ontonagon County, Michigan, collected in the early 1970s from the third level of the mine. The copper is the defining feature, having formed as casts around quartz crystals that are no longer present, producing sharp, angular copper forms that faithfully retain the geometry of the original crystals. Where quartz persists, the copper can be seen conforming closely along crystal faces, reflecting the intimate spatial relationship between the two phases during formation. The quartz is clear to white with a blocky habit, offering a bright contrast to the warm reddish-brown tones of the copper, while small patches of green epidote distributed across the specimen contribute additional color to the assemblage. This specimen was acquired directly from the collector who retrieved it — a Michigan Tech geology student at the time, who accessed the third level of the shaft with a small group before the entrance was permanently sealed with concrete. Material from this specific occurrence is unlikely to ever be recovered again, making this an appealing acquisition for those with an interest in historically significant specimens from uncommon Michigan localities.