Bournonite from Herodsfoot Mine, Lanreath, Cornwall, England, UK

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This miniature-sized Bournonite from the all-time classic occurrence at Herodsfoot mine in Cornwall is rather unusual in its crystallized form which is presumably why it was owned by the Victorian polymath John Ruskin, who just loved complex shapes. Its form, as pitted skeletal crystals, is quite eye-catching and maintains a fine gun-metal grey colour and historic patina. The overall form of the Bournonite crystals is still one of tabular to bladed 'cogwheel' crystals which are partially embedded within nicely crystallized vein Quartz with a little golden Chalcopyrite overgrowth. A small, but superb Bournonite from this world-renowned historic occurrence and from a famous British collector.

Product details

SpeciesBournonite Chalcopyrite Quartz

SizeMiniature

Dimensions5.0 x 4.6 x 3.8 cm

Added on11/01/2025

LocalityUK, England, Herodsfoot Mine

Current owner

Unknown Owner

Acquired: Jul 2026
Price paid: $2,500.00

Previous owners

Date	Collector	Acquisition price
—	Crystal Classics	Not disclosed

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Mineral guide

Learn about Bournonite

steel-gray to black sulfosalt famed for cogwheel twinning and metallic luster; prized by collectors for iconic gears and historic localities.

Regional guide

Bournonite from Herodsfoot Mine, Cornwall, UK

Herodsfoot Mine, Cornwall, UK — classic bournonite with cogwheel twins, dark metallic luster, often on quartz; prized for provenance and sculptural form.

Locality guide