Chalcopyrite on Tetrahedrite and Quartz

This old European classic dates to the early to mid 1800s and has a long line of provenance with it, but it also stands on its own as a fine, aesthetic example of one of the earliest documented finds of textbook crystals of chalcopyrite to go into collecting literature. These multicolored crystals from old Cornish mines were worth more than their weight in gold at the time, as is well documented; and they were treasured by collectors since. This is a particularly elegant specimen with a sharp crystal of 1.3 cm on a summit of contrasting quartz, all clean and sparkling! The labels tell the story as well. This was in the Herb Obodda collection of European classics, which we bought in 2008. He noted that the oldest label is from Wolfgang Sartorius von Waltershausen (1809-1876), dated 1968 in one hand (Sartorius'). A later cursive label continues to describe this as a "Fahlerz" specimen, with more detail, and notes that it was purchased from WS von W in 1868. It later ended up in Herb's personal collection, sold to me, and then to Raul and Helen Madrid. Later still, it ended up with Lee Peterson of Colorado. For such a specimen to survive all this time, in such condition AND still be suitable for modern tastes in aesthetics, is unlikely!

Unknown Owner

Product details

Species

Tetrahedrite, Chalcopyrite, Quartz

SizeSmall Cabinet

Dimensions6.5 x 4.6 x 4.2 cm

Locality

UK, England, Herodsfoot Mine

Added on10/23/2024

Comments

Known provenance

2024/08