Cuprite crystals from Kolwezi, Congo, Gerd Tremmel collection – cabinet specimen as unique piece
This cabinet specimen features Cuprite crystals from the Kolwezi area in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, from the Gerd Tremmel collection. The deep red to dark purplish Cuprite crystals are compactly developed and contrast clearly with the associated matrix, highlighting their intense intrinsic color. The combination of metallic luster, well-recognizable crystal faces, and the solid overall appearance gives the specimen strong visual impact and makes it a characteristic example of African Cuprite occurrences.
Geology & origin
Cuprite is a copper(I) oxide that typically forms in the oxidation zone of copper-rich deposits. In the Kolwezi region, Cuprite develops through the weathering of primary copper sulfides under oxidizing conditions. This area is one of the world’s most important copper provinces and is renowned for its exceptional diversity of secondary copper minerals, providing material of both scientific significance and high collector appeal.