Fluorapophyllite Crystals | St. Clair Mine, Keweenaw County, Michigan - RARE For Sale

A rare specimen of colorless, transparent fluorapophyllite-(K) microcrystals cover both sides of a highly altered basalt matrix. Specimens of this mineral from the Copper Country have not been produced very often in modern times because collecting is normally limited to digging in the old tailings (or rock piles, as they are known locally), where softer minerals are prone to damage.Full locality: St. Clair Mine, Phoenix, Houghton Township, Keweenaw County, MichiganOverall specimen dimensions: 7.2 x 4.4 x 1.1 centimeters
The St. Clair Mining Company was organized in 1863 and operated one shaft to 300 feet and one adit on the St. Clair Fissure. The mine began producing copper in 1865 and produced regularly until the Panic of 1873 stopped work and the mine was taken over by creditors. In 1879, the company reorganized and began mining between 1880 and 1885. Sometime around 1890, the mine became fully part of the Phoenix Consolidated Mining Company which continued working the shaft to 400 feet in depth. In 1905, the company closed the mine (Mindat, 2026).
Reference ID: GS-905