Calcite with Chalcopyrite

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Daye area has many iron and copper mines, and sometimes we get these amazing combination specimens as a result! This gorgeous cabinet piece features numerous, iridescent Chalcopyrite crystals with contrasting white Calcite rhombohedral crystals. The well-formed Chalcopyrite tetrahedrons range in size from 1mm to 1.2cm and display spectacular iridescence that is dominated by orange and pink-purple! The colorful Chalcopyrites occur in small groupings with well-defined crystals, some displaying minor modifications and finely textured growth features. The Chalcopyrite crystals accent the translucent, milky, off-white Calcite rhombs that are between 3mm to 2.5cm in maximum dimension. Most Calcites have some Chalcopyrite on them, but the large pair of crystals do not, making them quite prominent providing great composition! Surprisingly, many large plates came out, mostly just flat color plates, and this stunning smaller piece was the one that caught my eye amid a whole table of the material on my last trip to Hubei back in November (where I bought this near the mine). Superb contrast and shape make this a good specimen from anywhere not because either species is fabulous per se, but the combination is just so gorgeous and stylish.