Bournonite (Twinned) with Chalcopyrite & Quartz - image 1

Bournonite (Twinned) with Chalcopyrite & Quartz - image 3

Bournonite (Twinned) with Chalcopyrite & Quartz - image 4

Bournonite (Twinned) with Chalcopyrite & Quartz

$4,800.00

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T

The ArkenstoneFeatured

3,403 for sale·Member since 2026

Today, many people know of this species from China but I believe that England will always have a special place for its unique Bournonites in combination with Quartz, and the history behind them. This attractive specimen features a single winding crystal of huge size, for the locality, nearly 6.5 cm, stretching across the horizon of a field of Quartz. The smaller crystal sticking out at the viewer is 2 cm tall. Both are complete, undamaged! They have serrated or corrugated edges, typical of the material, which looks rough in photos but is metallic and shows off small detail in person. A Herodsfoot Mine Bournonite from the heyday of English mining in the mid-1800s is one of those iconic specimens of any collection of the classics, long treasured by collectors since the 1800s. In combination with bright sparkling Quartz, they are also specimens that meet modern aesthetics - although few and far between, these days. They are immediately recognizable from contemporary examples of this species from any other locality. These Bournonites, tabular and up to about 1.7 cm across, have some development of the famous 'cogwheel' habit that makes the species so well-known when described. They date to the middle to late 1800s. For such an antique, this is in remarkable condition as a modern display quality specimen! The color is dark gunmetal-gray with typical metallic luster, and subtle patterns. What is unusual, and a real added bonus, is that many of the crystals on this piece also have a golden and bluish iridescence visible as you move this small-cabinet piece under the light. This fine piece has an association with sparkling Quartz, many of which are sharp and lustrous near-cm points, and brassy Chalcopyrite that adds to the variety and attractiveness. This significant specimen is well-balanced, aesthetic, and a very representative specimen of these over-150 year-old finds. We purchased this from well-known miner and collector Ralph Sutcliffe before he passed, sometime after 2010. Ralph was among the last of his generation of underground UK miners and collectors. For more on him: https://www.mindat.org/mesg-643984.html