Calcite included with rare Chalcopyrite needles

Item Description

The seldom seen Calcites from the Faraday Mine in Bancroft, Ontario are some of the most distinctive examples of the species for the fact that they feature unusually rare "needle" like inclusions of Chalcopyrite. Both the almost acicular habit of the Chalcopyrite, and the fact that they're included inside of Calcite is rare for the species, and they are highlighted by the fact that the Calcite crystals themselves are distinct, well-formed, robust textbook rhombic crystals, which are gemmy enough to show the thin Chalcopyrites inside when backlit. This piece is a great example of this older material circa 1960s-1970s, and despite a few contacted corners, is complete all around. While neither Calcite nor Chalcopyrite are rare minerals, the way in which these minerals formed on this specimen is certainly hard to find in nature, and if you collect worldwide Calcites, Canadian minerals or specimens with inclusions, this is a must-have piece of these now hard to find specimens. Valued at $1,000 in the inventory. From the worldwide mineral collection of Albert Lewis Kidwell (January 1, 1919 - August 16, 2008). Al was a well-known mineral collector and research geologist with Carter Oil Company and later Exxon Oil Company in Houston, Texas. The phosphate species Kidwellite was named in his honor in 1974.