CHALCOPYRITE. ...

Description

CHALCOPYRITE
Huanzala Mine, Huallanca District, Dos de Mayo Province, Huánuco Department, Peru
Chalcopyrite: Copper Iron Sulfide, is very often confused with Pyrite, which as even small children know, can be confused with Gold. Even more confusing is that Chalcopyrite is valuable as Copper ore and frequently contains valuable percentages of -real Gold. Distinguishing Pyrite from Chalcopyrite in the field is usually quite simple: Chalcopyrite exhibits a richer gold color and usually forms wedge-shaped crystals, which can sometimes appear as 'twins' - interpenetrating combinations of the wedge forms already mentioned. This superb example of both the proper forms and coloration, hails from the Huanzala Mine: a less-than-prolific Peruvian producer of Copper, Lead, Silver and Zinc, located some 4000 meters up in the Andes of Peru. Although Chalcopyrite is commonly found in the mine, large and fine crystals are not a frequent occurrence, and they bring high prices in trading with mineral dealers intrepid enough to brave the harsh conditions of the high mountains. This excellent example came out many years ago and has since resided in a private collection. It is an aggregate of several twinned Chalcopyrite crystals up to 2 inches (5 cm) on edge, deposited on a gray to white siliceous matrix. The matrix is coated with colorless, druzy Quartz and some small honey-colored Calcites that are distinguishable with difficulty. The condition is excellent and the specimen comes with a custom labeled base. It measures: 3 inches by 3 inches by 2 inches (7.6 x 7.6 x 5 cm).

Provenance: ex. Daniel J. Trinchillo Jr. Collection

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