This flat presents a diverse selection of Osarizawait, Parnauite, and Philipsbornite crystals from the well known Grandview Mine in the Grand Canyon. The specimens mainly show crusty to granular crystal aggregates in characteristic green, turquoise, and yellow tones. Individual crystals are locally recognizable, though most are tightly intergrown and form continuous crystal surfaces, which is typical for this mineral association. The flat offers a representative range of habits and color variations within this uncommon assemblage.
Geology & Origin
The Grandview Mine in the Grand Canyon is renowned for its complex secondary mineralization within oxidized copper deposits. Osarizawait, Parnauite, and Philipsbornite form here as secondary phosphates and arsenates in the oxidation zone of copper rich veins. Their close paragenetic association is characteristic of the locality and makes such flats particularly valuable for systematic mineral collections and paragenetic research.