Chalcopyrite on Galena and Quartz with Pyrite - image 1

Chalcopyrite on Galena and Quartz with Pyrite - image 2

Chalcopyrite on Galena and Quartz with Pyrite - image 3

Chalcopyrite on Galena and Quartz with Pyrite

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The impressive chalcopyrite crystal on this piece from the Krushev Dol Mine measures 3 cm across and is dramatically set on a plate of galena and quartz. The contrast is striking! This locality has produced some exceptional quartz-sulfide combination pieces and this is one of those great examples. This chalcopyrite is big and bright with a splendent metallic luster and faintly striated faces; it's also twinned. The big crystal is set on a striking crystalline galena-quartz plate consisting of numerous, 0.5 to 1.0 cm, metallic gray, cubo-octahedral galena crystals interspersed with glassy, water-clear, 0.5 to 1.5 cm quartz crystals. Some small, pyrite crystals can be found around the periphery and on the underside of the piece. The size and quality of the big chalcopyrite crystal on the bright galena and quartz is significant from this locality, or ANY locality. Rarely do you see such fine examples of this species, isolated on matrix as opposed to in jumbly clusters. The piece is in excellent condition and the chalcopyrite crystal has only a few tiny dings on back, but it is otherwise complete 360 degrees around. While this species may seem to be common, a piece like this is not, and stands out from a vast crowd of mediocre examples. It is stunning in person.