Sonora Sunrise

Sonora Sunrise

Sonora Sunrise is said to be Chrysocolla, Cuprite and Tenorite.  The blue-green area normally referred to as Chrysocolla is actually a basic copper sulfate called Bronchantite. The red area is a minor ore of copper called Cuprite with added Chalcotricite which produces the orange-red color. The black area is an iron-copper oxide called Tenorite and on occasion, there is a purplish-gray area that is also a cuprite. These copper secondary minerals are impregnated a host rock of limestone.

This color combination can be cut into beautiful displays or cabochons that suggest a blue-green landscape or seascape under a brilliant red sky. The “red sky”, along with its Sonora, Mexico origin, was combined to coin the name "Sonora Sunrise" (also known as Sonora Sunset). This beautiful stone was first found in 2006 and was available in decreasing quality levels through 2018. The original Sonora Sunrise material was found at the famous Milpillas Copper Mine, Cuitata, Municipio de Cananea, Sonora, Mexico. The mine closed in early 2021 due to low copper prices, low ore grades and the Pandemic.