Chalcopyrite
Unknown Owner
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The old miners in Cornwall (England) and then in Connecticut found rounded copper growths of chalcopyrite they referred to as blistered copper. Until after 2010, with various finds in the Tonglushan copper district of China, those examples of rounded chalcopyrite were the best known; and they still remain classics. These are mesmerizing growths of conjoined chalcopyrite "balls", as we and others have labelled them in the past; although we know now that they are actually composed partially of cubanite and other sulfides (unlike the round chalco's from the older localities). We brought perhaps 80 percent of these out from China in 2017-2018 after a series of small pockets found there; although other dealers also had some. Since then, we have not been able to buy any more except for a few last small stashes firesold during COVID years (from which this came), and no more of the same style have been found - although "blistered copper" (rounded) chalcopyrite specimens have continued to emerge from a group of three mines in the same district ever since in a variety of styles. While we have seen rounded growths to 6 inches, and many specimens of different styles, these 2017-18 finds remain very distinct. This is a working mine district with dozens of holes in the ground, and actually goes back 3500 years to the origins of the Chinese Bronze Age. And, to those who ask for examples in matrix, why yes, we do have matrix specimens and comments on the find well illustrated on our blog: https://www.irocks.com/rare-chalcopyrite-balls-from-daye-china
Product details
SpeciesChalcopyrite
SizeSmall Cabinet
Dimensions5.2 x 4.4 x 3.9 cm
Added on12/07/2024
LocalityChina, Hubei, Tonglushan Mine
Known provenance
| Date | Collector | Acquisition price |
|---|---|---|
| 05/2026 | Unknown Owner | $2,400.00 |
| — | The Arkenstone | Not disclosed |
Comments