Bornite, Quartz - image 1

Bornite, Quartz

R

Russell E. Behnke
0 for sale
Bornite, iridescent crystals on quartz, 26.7 cm, from the Dzhezkazgan mine, Karagandy Province, Kazakhstan; found in 1996. Ex Edward E. David collection; Russell E. Behnke photo.

Product details

Species
Bornite, QuartzAbout Bornite →
SizeLarge Cabinet
Dimensions26.7 cm
Added on02/13/2026
Locality
Kazakhstan, Karaganda Region, Dzhezkazgan mining districtRegional guide →
Publications
  • Mineralogical Record Mineral Collections In American Northeast page 49

Known provenance

DateCollectorAcquisition price
—Edward E. DavidNot disclosed

Learn more

Mineral guide
Learn about Bornite
vivid iridescent tarnish, metallic luster, and rare sharp crystals; formed in diverse deposits and prized by collectors for color, rarity, and histor…
Bornite
Regional guide
Bornite from Dzhezkazgan mining district, Kazakhstan
Dzhezkazgan is the bornite locality serious collectors use as a benchmark. Bornite is not an exotic species in ore deposits, but sharp, lustrous, free-standing bornite crystals of display quality are uncommon worldwide; Dzhezkazgan is one of the few places where the species came out as recognizable crystals rather than merely as metallic ore. The classic look is a dark, metallic, blue-black to black crystal—often with subtle violet, indigo, silver, or bronze tarnish—set against pale quartz, calcite, or bladed baryte. The contrast is part of the magic: a dense copper-iron sulfide with a dark velvet-metal surface perched on a light, sparkling gangue.