Collector’s Piece: Chalcopyrite on Calcite from Daye Copper Mine, China

Dimension: 11.5cm x 6.7cm x 2.8cm
Weight: 303g
Locality: Tonglushan Mine, Daye Co., Huangshi Prefecture, Hubei Province, China
 
This is a significant old-time material from the 1980’s of mining in the world famous Tonglushan Mine (Daye Copper Mine) in China.  Tetrahedral twins Chalcopyrite crystals to grainy, reuniform aggregates distributed richly around this Calcite matrix measuring 11.5cm across.  The Calcite exhibits pentagonal repeated twins crystal shape and they are fluorescent to longwave UV lighting 365nm.  Interconnected, metallic bronze-gold aggregates of shiny Chalcopyrite display a very pleasant and sculptural form.  The Tonglushan Mine has been mined continuously since the Chinese bronze age and this specimen is unique among many I have seen there.  It displays nicely on a high quality copper-wired display stand.  Rare and exquisite historic material that looks beautiful and dramatic.
 
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