Chalcocite

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A rare specimen of Chalcocite crystals from the long-closed Bristol Copper mine in Connecticut, USA. This interesting mine worked intermittently from 1836 until about 1953 but it is thought that most of the best Chalcocite specimens came out during the 1840s when a number of prominent Yale-based scientists and collectors recovered specimens before they were dispatched as ore. This small cabinet specimen displays an intergrown cluster of metallic grey Chalcocite crystals measuring to 8 mm with some Calcite crystals. The Chalcocite forms sharp, chisel-shaped terminations, often exhibiting a matt sooty patina whereas the prism faces have a bright metallic lustre. A richly crystallized specimen of this East Coast classic.