Burra Burra Copper Mine, Burra, Goyder Regional Council, South Australia, Australia

This has to be one of the most outstanding Azurite crystals I have ever seen from this locality. The upright crystal which is just beautiful, measures 2.3cm in length. The photo also shows the termination of the bottom crystal, which measures 3.5cm in length and shows contact points along it's length. Most Azurite crystals from Burra are not even ...

© Mark Willoughby 2006

Collected by former Burra Burra mine geologist, Graham Sweetman, from a weathered feldspar porphyry plug 3m in diameter, at the base of the open cut, on the last bench worked before the mine closed. While many of these specimens show a very thin coating, and usually have pyrite clearly visible, close examination suggests there is at least 1mm of ...

© Mark Willoughby 2016

A large cabinet specimen of chrysocolla with a 'velvety' like covering of malachite, and areas of translucent to milky-white quartz var. chalcedony. Collected by John Roe. Ex. J.Roe. Specimen and photo, M.Willoughby.

© Mark Willoughby

Lustrous dark historic specimen. 6.5x7.5 cms. Formerly in the Brian Shelton collection. David Cowen Specimen and photo.

Libethenite in octahedrons with an unidentified blue mineral. Specimen 8038 in the Collection of the photographer, Alan Goldstein.

© Alan Goldstein

4*4 cm Burra Mine (SA) Azurite, usually the Azurites I have seen available from Burra are fairly dull. I just had to aquire this lovely lustrous specimen when I was at the club show in Warrnambool in January 2010. Typical bladed crystals and a bit of malachite in the matrix.

© Ed Richard

A beautiful cluster of Baryte crystals to 5mm in height perched in a vug of Malachite crystals of 1-2mm. The transparency of the crystals makes it hard to distinguish them singularly in the photograph. The specimen is approx 7cm in length and contains traces of Cuprite, although the main interest of the specimen is the Baryte. (Child photo ...

© Mark Willoughby 2008

Cabinet specimen of botryoidal Malachite on Cuprite from the famous Burra Burra mine, South Australia. The specimen measures 140mm x 90mm x 50mm. Collected by John Roe, now in collection of Mark Willoughby. Photograph by owner.

© Mark Willoughby 2006

A large cabinet specimen of Malachite from the historic Burra Burra mine in South Australia, showing banded growth typical for this location. Collected by John Roe. Photo, M. Willoughby. Copied from original transparency. Specimen in private collection.

© Mark Willoughby 2006

Azurite coated with Quartz and Manganese Oxides. Associated Chrysocolla and 'dendritic' Manganese. This grouping of species is typical with many Azurite specimens from the last few years of mining at the Burra Burra mine, South Australia. Collected by John Roe, now in the collection of Mark Willoughby. Photograph by owner.

© Mark Willoughby 2006

Close-up of an azurite nodule from the Burra Copper mine. Obtained in 1985. Specimen 319 in the collection of the photographer, Alan Goldstein. FOV = 4 mm

© Alan Goldstein

Cabinet specimen of Malachite from the famous Burra Burra mine, South Australia. The darker areas in the centre and top left are pseudomorphs of Malachite after Azurite. The specimen measures 140mm x 110mm x 60mm. Collected by John Roe, Now in the collection of Mark Willoughby. Photograph by owner.

© Mark Willoughby 2006

Copper crystals. Specimen from the Burrage Collection at Harvard University #99308 (1972). Scale at bottom of image is an inch with a rule at one cm.

© Rock Currier

A 3.7 by 2.8 cms specimen. JSS specimen and photograph.

© 2007 JSS

An azurite nodule from the Burra Copper mine. Obtained in 1985. Specimen 319 in the collection of the photographer, Alan Goldstein. FOV = 2 cm

© Alan Goldstein

Great Malachite specimen from Burra, the front side of it sparkles as you can see on its left side. Found by a mine worker who's a relative of mine during 1970's open cut, who gave it to me. Approximate size 20 x 12 x 12 cm

Came across this specimen whilst sorting through some old boxes tonight and thought it worth a photo. Crystal group is approx 6mm across.

© Steve Sorrell

Large ore specimen of malachite in dolomite from Burra Burra mine, open cut, when it was running during the 1970's. Obtained by a worker who currently still has it. Approximate size is 40 x 30 x 20 cm

An old malachite specimen from this famous mine. Size 90x60x50. K & M Brown Collection.

© steve sorrell

Perfect crystals of Libethenite, with growths, on a "sea" of chrysocolla.

A not so common specimen from the Burra Burra mine, showing a mixture of actinolite-tremolite series, with malachite, and drusy quartz (mostly visible on opposite side of specimen to that shown in this photo). Actinolite-tremolite series was identified using SEM-EDS. Specimen and photo, M.Willoughby.

© Mark Willoughby 2017

Malachite (fibrous) in an azurite nodule, about 30mm diameter. Collected ~1977 in the upper eastern parts of the main open cut. collection and photo: R. Bottrill

© R. Bottrill 2000

Azurite crystals are well formed but the top surface has crystallised over can be seen through the side just above the chrysocolla though Specimen from Burra Burra mine, collected by mine worker during 1970's who is a relative of mine and given to me 2008 Approximate size 7 x 2.5 x 2.5 cm

Cuprite Cube octahedral Cuprite xls to 7mm on massive ironstone matrix. Some micro green rounded Malachite scattered over the Cuprite

© Keith F Compton

5.3 x 3 x 2.5 cm. A specimen of biomorphic-looking, naturally botryoidal malachite; old classic Australian material, almost certainly from the heyday here in the early 1900s. Deep green Malachite spheres, arranged like beads on a string. The spheres range up to about 2 cm across, and have an excellent luster where smooth. Ex. Charlie Key.

© Rob Lavinsky & irocks.com

A 3.1 by 1.9 cms nodule of small crystals of green Malachite and blue Azurite. JSS specimen and photograph.

© 2008 JSS

Thin layer of black tenorite coating microcrystalline malachite in brecciated dolomite. Purchased from Bill Aird, Adelaide in the 1990's.

© Ben Grguric

A cut and polished face on malachite from Burra. R Bottrill specimen and photo. About70mm long.

© R. Bottrill 2008

Blue-green chrysocolla replacing green libethenite, with blue azurite

© R Bottrill

Chrysocolla pysdo after Azurite from the Burra Mine, approx 35mm wide. Ex K. Lancaster collection, specimen and photograph A. tuma. N-D60.Nikkor 50mm.

© Andrew Tuma

Azurite on malachite, 3.5cm by 5cm. Joseph Polityka collection from Bob and Pam Stewart, 1978; formerly in the Wahington A. Roebling Collection at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History (see label).

© Joseph Polityka

Deep blue Azurite rosette comprising bladed Azurite xls associated with pale green to dark green (underside) Chrysocolla on a clay-like matrix. Overall size: 32mm × 30mm × 25mm Personal collection and photo.

© Keith F Compton

Dark green botryoidal pseudomalachite on brecciated siltstone matrix with some associated blue chrysocolla, and a spray of crystalline azurite. Elsewhere the specimen contains a few sharp microcrystals of libethenite. A typical style of occurrence of this mineral at the Burra Burra mine. Specimen mined during the more recent mining phase of the ...

© Ben Grguric

An uncommon specimen of atacamite crystals and chrysocolla, in quartz, from this famous mine. During early mining here, some larger pieces of atacamite were wrongly labeled as being from the Burra Burra mine, when they were in fact from the Moonta-Wallaroo mines. This along with the scarcity and size of what atacamite has been found here, ...

© Mark Willoughby 2017

Chrysocolla as a bluish-green layer on translucent deep blue crystals of azurite.

© Judy Rowe

Dark green botryoidal pseudomalachite on matrix with some associated blue chrysocolla. A typical style of occurrence of this mineral at the Burra Burra mine. Specimen mined during the more recent mining phase of the deposit (1970's).

© Ben Grguric

11.9 x 10.3 x 5.8 cm. Malachite specimens are not that common from this old, well-known South Australia copper mine, opened in 1845. This is an impressive, large and hefty specimen of carving-grade malachite in thick banded layers, surrrouding a crystallized vug. Weighs 1027 grams, over 2 pounds. It is eyecatching and is an important example. A ...

© Rob Lavinsky & irocks.com

You can clearly see how the chalcocite has started to replace the surface of the pyrite. Another specimen I have of this, no longer shows any colour of the previous pyrite, only the dark chalcocite. While in some areas, this only looks like a coating, other areas, when probed shows depth to the chalcocite. There is also notable small amounts of ...

© Mark Willoughby

11.3 x 7.5 x 6.4 cm. A very unusual old piece from South Australia, with what seems to be hyalite opal (fluorescent) perched atop malachite. The malachite matrix is massive, with some veins of azurite. But, the malachite on top is crystalline, and velvety crystals of malachite contrast with the rounded white hyalite opal atop.

© Rob Lavinsky & irocks.com

Size: 29mm x 22mm x19mm Deep green rounded nodules of Malachite. Minor brown clay like material underneath.

© Keith F Compton

Here we present one-half of a sliced and polished nodule of Azurite from one of Australia's most famous Copper localities. While not that good-looking on the outside, when opened these nodules reveal cavities lined with sparkling deep blue crystals of Azurite. specimen size = 4.6 x 3.8 x 1.7 cm.

© Russell G. Rizzo & Cal Neva Mineral Company

4 x 2 x 1.7 cm. A string of smooth, deep green Malachite spheres, arranged in an elongated cluster. The spheres range up to about 1.5 cm across, and have a very good luster. Very aesthetic and quite representative of the locality. From old finds. Ex. Charlie Key Collection.

© Rob Lavinsky & irocks.com

Blue Azurite with green Malachite centre

An uusual double pseudomorph: malachite replacing azurite crystals, plus some unaltered azurite, on a drusy quartz cast after an unidentified carbonate mineral. FOV ~15mm. R Bottrill specimen and photo.

© R. Bottrill

An almost clear 'flower-like' crystallisation of calcite on malachite, with an adjoining (thicker) layer of white calcite on malachite and azurite. This was part of old stock collected for the South Australian museum during the 1950s, prior to the second period of open cut mining, which started in 1970-71. Specimen and photo, M.Willoughby.

© Mark Willoughby 2017

Cluster of three green Malachite nodules. Overall size: 30mm × 35mm × 27mm Personal collection and photo.

© Keith F Compton

A clear coating of Calcite crystals over Malachite, from the famous Burra Burra Mine.

© Mark Willoughby

Not something most people will find in their collection, (white) aragonite and (off-white to cream) calcite. Under magnification the calcite shows lovely 'dog tooth' style crystals. Ex. L.Dallow. Specimen and photo, M.Willoughby.

© Mark Willoughby 2016

Yellow baryte crystal in a vugh in botryoidal malachite

© R Bottrill

3 x 2 x 1.6 cm. An attractive group of rich green Malachite spheres arranged on matrix. The Malachite is actually two generations, lighter on darker, which can be seen gradationally on the front and sharply on the back. The largest of the spheres is about 1.4 cm across. Ex. Charlie Key.

© Rob Lavinsky & irocks.com

Copper, coated and partially replaced by Malachite, from the famous Burra Burra Mine.

© Mark Willoughby

Malachite after azurite from the Burra mine. South Oz, Ex Lancaster collection. FOV 26mm. Specimen and Photograph A. Tuma

© A. Tuma

7.8 x 7.7 x 2.4 cm. The Burra Burra Mine dates back over 150 years (prior to 1860), and produced literally millions of pounds of Malachite. This piece is an interesting and unusual specimen from this famous mine as it features several spherical aggregates of medium-blue Azurite, which are coating rich green, fibrous Malachite and sitting on pale ...

© Rob Lavinsky & irocks.com

Baryte on Malachite and Chrysocolla. One of the larger Baryte specimens from this famous locality. Ex. John Roe.

© Mark Willoughby

3.6 x 2.6 x 2.7 cm (largest). Attractive groups of rich, green Malachite spheres, in two separate specimens. The Malachite on one of the pieces is actually two generations, lighter on darker, which can be seen gradationally on the front. The largest of the spheres is about 1.8 cm across. An attractive pair of Malachite toenails, from a desirable ...

© Rob Lavinsky & irocks.com

© Pat Sutton

A scattering of Baryte crystals, some coated (or partly coated) by Malachite, with Calcite; all on an earlier growth of Malachite. Largest Baryte crystal is approx 2mm.

© Mark Willoughby

Dark blue azurite crystals along with light green chrysocolla. Specimen is from the 1970's - 1980's mining period.

An Australian Classic – 19th century Burra Mine Copper The specimen shown is a large mass of native copper. In many ways the native copper, though plentiful in the early years of the mine (1845-50), is by collector standards a proverbial plain Jane. However the genesis of a deposit must feature in any serious scientific collection, which ...

© gevans

Australian Minerals – A Classic from the 19th century A classic 19th century Malachite recovered ca. 1863 at the Burra Burra Mine. During the early years (1850-65) of the mine these specimens were as common as muck, but have since reached high prices among the connoisseurs. The specimen was obtained by a swap with the South Australian ...

© gevans

7.8 x 7.7 x 2.4 cm. The Burra Burra Mine dates back over 150 years (prior to 1860), and produced literally millions of pounds of Malachite. This piece is an interesting and unusual specimen from this famous mine as it features several spherical aggregates of medium-blue Azurite, which are coating rich green, fibrous Malachite and sitting on pale ...

© Rob Lavinsky & irocks.com

7.2 x 5.5 x 2.3 cm. A deep green malachite specimen with a naturally smooth, rolling surface - characteristic of old finds at this now classic locale. The color and lustre and smoothness of the surface makes these stand out. Ex. George Elling Collection. Joe Budd photo.

© Rob Lavinsky & irocks.com

7.8 x 7.7 x 2.4 cm. The Burra Burra Mine dates back over 150 years (prior to 1860), and produced literally millions of pounds of Malachite. This piece is an interesting and unusual specimen from this famous mine as it features several spherical aggregates of medium-blue Azurite, which are coating rich green, fibrous Malachite and sitting on pale ...

© Rob Lavinsky & irocks.com

Monster Specimen from the Monster Mine Azurite with malachite on Dolomite (Skillogalee) A technically interesting large cabinet plate of Azurite with Malachite. The origin of the mineral solutions is very evident. The fracturing of the dolomite was due to ‘hydraulic ramming’ by the copper rich solutions.

© gevans

3.6 x 2 x 2 cm. An attractive group of rich green Malachite spheres, adjoined side to side in a row. The Malachite is actually two generations, lighter on darker, which can be seen gradationally on the front, with the luster being very good. The largest of the spheres is 2 cm across. Ex. Charlie Key specimen (picked up in the 1970s from an old ...

© Rob Lavinsky & irocks.com

Collected from the eastern wall of the open cut during the latter stages of the mine's operations. Numerous deep blue bladed crystals of azurite, set amongst chrysocolla Ex. J & S Roe. Specimen, and photo, M.Willoughby.

© Mark Willoughby 2017

1.9 x 1.7 x 1.6 cm. An attractive cluster of three Malachite 'mushrooms' from the Burra Burra Copper Mine in Australia. The two largest are 1.3 cm across. The Malachite is actually several generations - light Malachite forming the cap on top of darker Malachite. The luster is very good, as are the aesthetics. Ex. Charlie Key specimen. Specimen now ...

© Rob Lavinsky & irocks.com

Massive azurite overgrown by small quartz crystals. 5MP Chinese unbranded CMOS camera with bellows and FYSCOPE 4X Semi Plan Achromatic Objective Lens. Processed with Zerene stacker DMap and post stacking cleanup with Faststone. Collection and photograph of Rod Martin.

Large botryoidal Malachite specimen Specimen given to me in 2012

A small ball of crystalline Malachite over and through Crystalline Azurite, which shows remnants of nodule formation. Some small blebs of Chrysocolla are also present. Specimen and photo, M.Willoughby.

© Mark Willoughby 2016

2.5 x 2 x 2 cm. An appealing specimen of botryoidal Malachite; old classic Australian material, almost certainly from the heyday here in the early 1900s. The deep green Malachite spheres are arranged in an attractive cluster, the largest sphere is about 1.7 cm across, and the overall luster is good. On the back side can be seen the fine layered ...

© Rob Lavinsky & irocks.com

7.8 x 7.7 x 2.4 cm. The Burra Burra Mine dates back over 150 years (prior to 1860), and produced literally millions of pounds of Malachite. This piece is an interesting and unusual specimen from this famous mine as it features several spherical aggregates of medium-blue Azurite, which are coating rich green, fibrous Malachite and sitting on pale ...

© Rob Lavinsky & irocks.com

13.4 x 6.0 x 3.1 cm. A striking, very sculptural large piece from this old South Australia mine, opened in 1845. Moderately lustrous, botryoidal velvet malachite has formed into this amazing "turtle" shape. The uplifted head, outstretched legs and freeform shell are clearly evident. Probably an old specimen for this locality, but no proof. Ex. ...

© Rob Lavinsky & irocks.com

Libethenite, coated in chrysocolla and malachite. Ex. G.Williams. Specimen and photo, M.Willoughby.

© Mark Willoughby

Close up of a not so common specimen from the Burra Burra mine, showing a mixture of actinolite-tremolite series, with malachite, and drusy quartz. Actinolite-tremolite series was identified using SEM-EDS. Specimen and photo, M.Willoughby.

© Mark Willoughby 2017