Chalcopyrite Specimen

Description

A compact metallic specimen from Tonglushan Mine, with densely intergrown, blocky crystal forms and textured, reflective faces. Muted brass-gold tones and stepped surfaces give the piece depth from several angles. Supplied mounted on the clear bevelled display base shown.

The display stand is included.

The close views show the intergrown crystal forms, stepped surfaces and metallic reflections. You will receive this exact specimen and the display base shown.

Locality supplied: Tonglushan Mine, Daye County, Hubei Province, China.

The surface detail described for this specimen adds interest beyond its main outline. Steps, grooves or repeated growth lines help reveal the direction of the crystals and changes across their faces. Their reflections can differ from smoother areas, giving the piece a textured appearance that is useful to study alongside the overall arrangement.

The recorded Pyrite contributes a metallic element to the association. Light reflects from its faces differently to the non-metallic growth around it, allowing small metallic areas to stand out within the specimen. That contrast is a useful part of the display and gives the piece interest for collectors of mixed mineral associations, as well as the principal species.

Chalcopyrite is a copper-iron sulphide and an important copper ore mineral. It has a naturally brassy colour, although surface tarnish can introduce other tones. Despite a superficial resemblance to Pyrite, it is a different species with a different crystal structure. Distinct crystal growth and mineral associations make it interesting well beyond its economic role.

Its metallic reflections give a very different effect from transparent or pale associated minerals. When evaluating a specimen, it is useful to separate the colour of the surface from the shape of the underlying crystal. Surface colour alone does not establish how a piece was treated. The recorded condition and associations for this individual specimen remain the guide to those details.

The recorded origin is Tonglushan Mine, Daye County, Hubei Province, China. The locality and mineral associations follow the information supplied with this specimen. Its individual growth and matrix provide the visual details described here.

The specimen measures 7 × 5 × 4 cm, with a recorded weight of 233 g. The proportions give a useful guide to its place in a display, with the individual crystal arrangement and mineral association remaining the principal points of interest.

Support the stable matrix or the supplied mount when moving the specimen, avoiding pressure on projecting growth. A secure indoor display allows its natural form and surface detail to be appreciated while protecting exposed crystal edges.