Iridescent Chalcopyrite on Calcite from Daye Copper Mine

Dimension: 7.6cm x 5.2cm x 2.3cm
Weight: 108g
Locality: Fengjiashan Mine (Daye copper mine), Daye Co., Huangshi, Hubei, China
 
An absolute rare beauty from the mother nature!  Natural iridescent Chalcopyrite is not uncommon but in the very crystallized forms like this is extremely rare and one-of-a-kind!  This belongs to my father’s long-kept rare mineral collections, he has four pieces in total and this is the best of all.  Thick, mound shaped layer of iridescent Chalcopyrite crystals grown on a Calcite matrix, their morphology is tetragonal with multiple twinning that forms a rather spherical clusters.  The colors are extremely saturated and electric with a brilliant iridescence.  The wide array of colors change with the direction of the light source, outstanding!  A top quality specimen from the famous Daye Copper Mine, simply amazing!