Bournonite on Quartz
Unknown Owner
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Bournonite from the famous Chinese mine at Yaogangxian in Hunan is world famous as best of species. While many styles have come out since the 1990s, our favorite is the choice style of brilliantly metallic crystals in the shape of barrels, with machine-like patterning and surfaces of mesmerizing detail; and particularly when they come perched on nice contrasting milky white quartz. This is such a piece, a pristine perfect crystal of 3 cm (height), perched on a beautiful and elegant cluster of quartz. It came out in modern years from pillar robbing in the old zones of the mine that produced in the 1990s. Pillar robbing is dangerous, and people have died here in the pursuit of bournonite in just such operations in the past (2009). During Covid years, a few intrepid miners went into the old zones and tried again, finding a few pockets of this style, which actually, literally, IS the older style from the older zones of the mine! We believe this look, this aesthetic, is something much more desirable than material from other parts of the mine, and is really quite legendary in quality. These are so much more amazing in person as cameras cannot adequately capture the luster of the metallic shine.
Product details
SpeciesQuartz, Bournonite
SizeSmall Cabinet
Dimensions9.8 x 5.2 x 4.4 cm
Added on01/17/2025
LocalityChina, Hunan, Yaogangxian Mine
Known provenance
| Date | Collector | Acquisition price |
|---|---|---|
| 04/2026 | Unknown Owner | $4,500.00 |
| — | The Arkenstone | Not disclosed |
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