Arsenopyrite, Siderite, and Chalcopyrite

Item Description

Splendid, superbly lustrous combination piece of brilliant Arsenopyrites, translucent Siderites, and one large, well-defined Chalcopyrite crystal. The tabular Arsenopyrites range from shorter blocky clusters to eye-popping, slender 4.5 cm prismatic crystals. All have classic striations and superb metallic luster. The abundant Siderite rosettes are about 2 mm in size, straw green in color, and have good luster. The brassy Chalcopyrite is .9 cm across, and has good color and luster. As great as all this is, and it is great, the coup d'grace are the amazing tips of the elongated Arsenopyrites. Each one is capped by a well-formed, silver-grey crystal. It is unclear if this is a secondary growth of distinctly different Arsenopyrite, or an altogether different mineral such as Galena. Either way, it makes this aesthetic specimen from the famous Panasqueira Mine even greater. An incredible specimen in every way and one of the highlights of Charlie's superb portugal suite dating to his dealer days there in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Valued $1500