Tennantite

Unknown Owner

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Mining began in the late 19th century and expanded rapidly with the development of large underground operations that exploited rich polymetallic veins hosted in granitic and volcanic rocks. Tennantite formed as part of the complex sulfide mineral assemblage associated with copper ores that also included minerals such as enargite, chalcopyrite, and bornite. Specimens from Butte are valued by collectors for their sharp tetrahedral crystals and for their association with the historic copper mining industry that made Butte known as the Richest Hill on Earth. This example shows semi lustrous well-formed crystals of tennantite to 0.5 cm in size on matrix with quartz and pyrite. Minimal micro-damage present, still in good condition. Quite nice for the species from this famous mining district.