Story of a Stone
In 1966 something very special was unearthed one lonely wet night as the Arizona monsoons poured rain on the Bluebird Copper Mine. Like a magic light show from the overhead halogen lights, the earth mover spotted a wet glowing blue and green stone. It was partially exposed in the mud walls where he could use his pick hammer to pull it free before the next mornings crushing crew would destroy it. The stone? A huge 86-pound Azurite-Malachite rare specimen dating back to the Laramid Orogeny Period some 65.5 million years ago.
The Bluebird Mine
One mile East of Needle Mountain and one mile Southwest of the Arizona town Miami, the Bluebird mine was a copper producing mine discovered in 1900. In 1964 Inspiration Consolidated Copper started a huge open pit ripping operation. In the process of recovering copper ore, many large specimens of Azurite-Malachite were found in this location as the stone was a direct byproduct from copper mining. During the 1960’s many of the large gemstones were crushed and lost to become smaller pieces of jewelry as the demand has always been very high. Unfortunately, in 1970 the mine switched over to a more affordable process known as leaching. The mined gemstones were then acid destroyed leaving only the metals in the slurry to be recovered. In July of 1988 Cyprus Miami Mining Co. bought out Inspiration Mining and sold many collectible stones from the Inspiration offices and main showcase. We purchased this specimen late that same year in 1988 and we have reason to believe this magnificent stone was part of that office collection dating back 1964-1970. In Winston’s 42 years of carving large gemstones he has only seen four other Azurite-Malachite specimens larger than this one, none of them carved and none from this very special mine. Azurite is not an abundant mineral especially a specimen weighing 86 pounds. The intense mixed colors make it a very popular collectors choice. The gemstone has a combination of two distinct and well-known stones; the deep rich blues are Azurite while the rivers of vivid green are Malachite. The stone is a variety of copper ores with a hardness of 3.5 to 4.0. A note of caution, Malachite is dangerous to carve; the dust produces high levels of mercury and copper sulfate. Winston has to take special precautions and wear a dual chemical filtered mask while carving because it’s poisonous.
Ancient Legend-Modern Metaphysics
Azurite-Malachite has been recognized by the Native Americans and many other cultures as a stone of protection. They also believed it could refresh one’s outlook to be “as the wind in the willow under reservation skies”. Azurite-Malachite dates back to the ancient peoples who made use of this beautiful blue stone as a pounded powdered pigment, as a gemstone and as an ornamental stone for Kings. Today Azurite-Malachite is associated with wealth and abundance bringing one prosperity which is why it’s known today as the businessman’s stone. Azurite is believed to have healing properties and be able to clear one’s mind. It is believed to have helped people come up with new ideas on how to resolve financial issues and bring prosperity to their business matters.
Proposal for Purchase
Winston (sculptor) and Mike Mecsey (co-owner of this gemstone) are offering this unfinished art piece to be completed with a possible theme choice from its new owners. Currently, the carving has a full-length eagle half finished. There is plenty of stone left in this now 195,000-carat work to add a corporate logo, a family theme, a western concept or even a contemporary collage. Winston would be available one on one to demonstrate the possible carving themes that would highlight the stones beauty and bring the company or family’s theme to life for millions of years to come. Currently, Winston is offering a three-foot-tall turquoise carving of some 106,000 carats for $2,000,000.00. As a reference, Winston feels this rare gemstone will hold today’s market value of $10.00 a carat as a finished work. The carving will most likely finish at over 160,000 carats for a sale value of $1,600,000.00. Consider this, you could be a part of this rare Azurite-Malecite stone’s story. After millions of years in the earth, it has found its way to an American carver and now awaits placement in a family’s showplace for several million years to come. Your carving could be dug up 10,000 years from now speaking of your family and our generation here on earth.
For a one on one conversation please feel free to contact Winston at www.winstonbuckles.com This will be a fun adventure for all!
