Bournonite on Arsenopyrite and Wolframite

Item Description

Bournonites from the great Yaogangxian Mine have frequently been world-class, and this quality specimen well-represents the species. Impressively sized at 4.2 cm, the striations along this single crystal stand out well, due in part to the good, metallic luster. The iridescence, particularly strong in the blues, adds a great deal of character to the crystal. While not fully terminated, looking down the C-axis you can see enough angularity to know that the crystal tried to develop some of the signature cogwheel habit. This is a good example of a Yaogangxian Bournonite, attractive and impressive both. Most Bournonites of this size are broken off the matrix, but this presents very well on an Arsenopyrite-rich matrix. As an added note, the Bournonites come from old tunnels mined out in the 1950s-1970s, and to obtain them artisan miners must travel up to those old levels in the dark, through very dangerous and unsupported tunnels. The remaining bournonite is in the pillars, so pillar-robbing must be practiced to retrieve them, leading to a weakening of the supports for the old levels. This resulted in tragic deaths in 2007, when a number of miners died. The government clamped down on official access to those levels, I am told. Valued $7500. Note this has not been (over)cleaned and retains an original patina.