Name: Chalcopyrite on Quartz
Brand: The Arkenstone
Price: 12500 USD
Availability: InStock

Updated 18h ago

Chalcopyrite on Quartz

Chalcopyrite might SEEM like a common mineral species, but it really is not at all common or available in truly fine, world class level specimens. If you think about it, you have surely seen many examples of the species but how many leapt out at you as truly "important" or above the others. Only a few finds over many decades, from Mexico (giant old crystals), Dalnegorsk (1990s), Panasqueira (rarely) or a few other locales in Peru and even in Africa occasionally, have surprised us - and commanded real value. China, however, has up to this point not been compared favorably to any of those older locations. The Yaogangxian Mine, while well known for other metallic species, was never considered to produce fine chalcopyrite, until it actually did do so - in two major discoveries only. One was in 2022-23; and the other was around 2014-15, and specimens were literally hoarded in a closet for years until being sold somewhat later. This is, we believe from that find judging by the style. The crystal is nearly 2 inches and has an insane metallic luster, a depth of color that is hard to convey but much like 24 karat gold, and hard to focus on because it is so reflective. It is three-dimensional, perfectly displayed on a floating cluster of quartz; and accented at its base by a crowd of sparkly metallic minerals of other species. The piece is 3-dimensional and looks good from any side. The piece is simply beautiful, at a level you would not normally rank this species. We rank the 2014-15 discovery here as having produced a number of world's best of species, and larger examples are in my own and in Steve Smale's China collections. This, for the size, is one of the best we were able to purchase on the ground in China when they came to market. It is pristine and complete all around and is simply a world class example of an otherwise common species. I am partial to Chinese minerals, and biased to use hyperbole for them - true. But this piece, if you see it in person, you will see why this pocket is so highly regarded. This stands with the best of any sulfide metallic species, as a world's best level of play, from any locality - not only from China.

$12,500.00