Collection: The Bisbee Southwest Mine Malachite Collection

The Bisbee Southwest Mine Malachite Collection features eight collector-grade specimens extracted from Arizona's historic Southwest Mine during the late 1960s and early 1970s, before the mine's permanent closure in 1974. These vintage mineral specimens showcase the distinctive chatoyant malachite formations characteristic of the Bisbee mining district, often accompanied by brochantite and calcite on host rock with cuprite and other associated copper minerals.

 

Located in the Devonian Martin Limestone formation, the Southwest Mine produced several hundred thousand tons of copper and lead carbonate ore from the late 1800s through the early 1900s. The mineralization occurred in irregular replacement bodies along the Czar fault, creating the unique geological conditions that formed these specimens. Each piece represents the final years of active mining before the closure, making them increasingly rare among collectors.

 

The bright green malachite in these specimens connects to concepts of renewal, vitality, and abundance. In Daoist Stone Medicine, malachite resonates with transformative energy, supporting those seeking to move beyond old patterns and embrace new growth. These specimens range from $120 to $450, reflecting their collector-grade quality and historical significance as post-closure unavailable material from one of the world's most famous copper mining districts.