Name: Chalcocite
Brand: The Arkenstone
Price: 30000 USD
Availability: InStock

Updated 2d ago

Chalcocite

In all of modern USA-based mineral collecting, we have been really quite starved of new localities for world class specimens, compared to the rest of the modern world. If you look at USA locales for best of species material between 1980-present, there are few enough. This mine, a unique project that involved professional mineral collecting from the start to finish, is one of the most notable examples and it produced truly world class chalcocite the likes of which have not been seen before or since. Flambeau chalcocite of this quality came out only in the late 1990s, under a contract between mine management and Casey and Jane Jones. Casey collected this piece and sold it to Jack at the time they came out; and Jack bought it as it was one of the larger pieces that was simply PRETTY! It is also complete 360 degrees all around and without any damage, another criterion of Jack's that he applied when possible, as it was here due to the careful collecting. These are certainly the most important chalcocites in modern times, AND the most important USA origin chalcocite since the 1800s. As well, they are iridescent with nice colors, setting them apart from the older USA material (From CT) and from other worldwide locales. The great ones are long gone, and most are still in collections. John Barlow practically financed the initial offering with his purchases, but those specimens were dispersed with his collection way back in 1998-1999 (see F John Barlow collection book ; and American Mineral treasures book, both of which have nice articles on this important find). Beyond that, the mine is not only closed but reclaimed. Covered. Gone. There will never be more at any price. This is already trimmed to sit flat for display, although we can also make a custom base to give it more height and respect. Half page photo as figure 235 on page #220 of Addicted to Beauty: The Legacy of Jack Halpern (Mineralogical Record, March 2025). Laszlo Kupi photo.

$30,000.00