Ojuela Mine - Gallery I
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As we expand our galleries dedicated to famous mineral localities, we now turn to the Ojuela Mine as our next focus.
Specimen collecting tales from Ojuela make for great reading...one has only to imagine what it would be like to climb deep, deep into the earth down rickety ladders and along miles of twisting and turning tunnels...and then you can begin your work. The secret grottoes only grudgingly reveal their crystal treasures, and one must not forget that there is competition to get these natural wonders out of the ground. Read more in The Mineralogical Record Vol. 35, No. 4.
Nicknamed the "Tsumeb of the Western Hemisphere," the Ojuela Mine is a carbonate replacement deposit that shares many similarities to its famous Namibian cousin. Both mines capitalize on vast hydrothermal polymetallic ore deposits; both mines have revealed a host of rare species; and both mines have become highly revered for hosting world-class specimens that can be found in such quality no where else.
Mining at Ojuela has left a vast, labyrinthine array of tunnels and drifts cut out of the earth as miners pursued ore and specimens. Ojuela has seven major ore chimneys that have been exploited all the way to the water table at a depth of 700+ meters. Ojuela became particularly famous for its zinc arsenate specimens which trace their genesis to large amounts of zinc and arsenopyrite ore. The high arsenopyrite content, unusual in carbonate replacement deposits, provided the key element (arsenic) needed to form the secondary minerals that contribute to its great fame.
Several of the most famous finds from the mine are known to come from certain areas of the workings as documented by intrepid collectors and dealers who have braved the depths themselves.
Best known minerals: Adamite, Legrandite, Hemimorphite, Wulfenite on Mimetite, and more... |
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Cuprian Adamite - $1350
Ojuela Mine, Mapimi, Durango, Mexico
3.8 x 3.2 cm
NY-143 - A sharp, sea-foam green adamite crystal colored by copper is lined by a white layer (rare style) in this attractive miniature from Ojuela. The main crystal measures 2.1 cm and is pristine. There are additional crystals tucked in a vug on the right of the specimen.
  
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Cuprian Adamite - SOLD
Ojuela Mine, Mapimi, Durango, Mexico
5.1 x 4.6 x 2.4 cm
–ex Thomas McKee, Evan Jones collections
NY-145 - This lovely large miniature features lustrous, lime-green adamite crystal of the cuprian variety measuring to 2.1 cm. More three-dimensional in person, this specimen shows a very unusual habit and color combination. Undoubtedly, these features caught the interest of both the late Tom McKee and Evan Jones, prior owners of the piece who are both renowned for their knowledge of Mexican minerals.
  
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Adamite - $650
Ojuela Mine, Mapimi, Durango, Mexico
8.5 x 7.0 cm
MMB-888 - Departing from the norm, this lovely adamite specimen from Ojuela is simply covered in prismatic, jewel-like crystals, many that are completely transparent. Each crystal terminates in a lustrous triangular face that throws flashes of light. Highly fluorescent.
  
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MMB-882 - Chatoyant sprays of neon turquoise aurichalcite abound in this small cabinet specimen from Ojuela. Scattered among the aurichalcite are balls of cuprian austinite, rosasite, and transparent wafers of calcite. A very attractive combination piece!
  
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Aurichalcite on Limonite - SOLD
Ojuela Mine, Mapimi, Durango, Mexico
8.0 x 5.4 cm
MMB-881 - Filling a limonite vug are long sprays of aurichalcite in this small cabinet specimen from Ojuela. The color combination is quite pleasing. The photos do not adequately represent the depth of the piece.
  
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MMB-883 - Radial sprays of vibrant turquoise aurichalcite formed atop balls of cuprian austinite in this small cabinet specimen. Colorless calcite wafers form the top layer of mineralization.
  
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Adamite - $1250
Ojuela Mine, Mapimi, Durango, Mexico
8.6 x 5.6 x 5.0 cm
MMT-709 - Lustrous, vibrant yellow sprays of adamite crystals intertwine in this high quality small cabinet specimen from Ojuela. Scattered throughout the piece are jewel-like individual crystals that just throw back light at you and make this specimen a joy to hold and admire closely. Very fluorescent. Pristine.
  
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Manganoan Adamite - SOLD
Ojuela Mine, Mapimi, Durango, Mexico
2.5 x 1.8 x 2.4 cm
MMY-1242 - This stunning thumbnail features a cluster of lustrous, pristine manganoan adamite crystals that display a golden yellow at the base and transition to purple terminations (more purple than photos show).
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Calcite with Aurichalcite - $125
Ojuela Mine, Mapimi, Durango, Mexico
7.7 x 4.7 x 5.6 cm
MMB-585 - Glassy calcite crystals included by turquoise-colored aurichalcite formed along the sides of a stalagmite in a small cabinet specimen from Ojuela. Displays well from multiple angles.
  
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Legrandite - SOLD
Ojuela Mine, Mapimi, Durango, Mexico
2.9 x 1.7 x 1.0 cm
MMS-245 - This prismatic, fully-terminated legrandite specimen is surprisingly thick and noteworthy in that it is not a spray of crystals. Numerous, sub-parallel crystals have been bound together naturally by a transparent, mirror-bright layer. A competition-quality legrandite specimen to be sure!
– ex Kerith Graeber Collection
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Cuprian Adamite - SOLD
Ojuela Mine, Mapimi, Durango, Mexico
5.8 x 4.4 x 3.4 cm
MMB-546 - Euhedral and lustrous crystals of cuprian adamite with a fine mint-green color make this a very fine miniature. The cuprian variety of adamite is highly sought after from Ojuela.
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Hemimorphite on Limonite - SOLD
Ojuela Mine, Mapimi, Durango, Mexico
5.8 x 4.8 x 4.1 cm
MMB-552 - A lustrous, radial spray of white hemimorphite (to 3 cm) is surrounded by drusy crystals on this aesthetic miniature. The specimen is complete and displays well from all sides. Far better in person than photos indicate.
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Rosasite, Calcite, Hemimorphite - SOLD
Ojuela Mine, Mapimi, Durango, Mexico
6.2 x 4.2 x 4.3 cm
MMB-677 - Lovely turquoise spheres of rosasite are refleced by (and included within) tabular, clear calcite crystals and hemimorphite sprays in this great association piece. Photos do not tell the whole story...this piece is three-dimensional and mesmerizing in person.
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