Chalcopyrite on Pyrite

I love chalcopyrites, a species that I think many people really just ignore sometimes. But this superb, competition-level miniature, is hard to put out of mind once you see it. It is the most mesmerizing example in its size class I have seen for a chalcopyrite, and just glows with color and brilliant luster. It is as close to pristine as you can ask, especially in a soft species. Probably from older finds in the 1980s or early 90s, as I have simply not seen anything approaching this quality in recent production here. The piece is complete all around, with the crystals perched on and hanging over a thin shard of glittery matrix, covered with minute sparkling pyrite crystals. This is a competition-level miniature worthy of any major collection, despite its "common species."

Unknown Owner

Product details

Species

Chalcopyrite, Pyrite

SizeMiniature

Dimensions4.7 x 3.9 x 3.5 cm

Locality

Peru, Ancash, Huanzala Mine

Added on10/23/2024

Comments

Known provenance

2024/08