Calcite w/ Chalcopyrite (excellent)

Item Description

A large, spectacular, 3-sided cluster of large calcite crystals from the famous finds at the Brushy Creek Mine in the 1970s and 80s. The impressive, more isolated, 12.8 cm crystal at the top is doubly terminated and twinned. Iridescent, sparkly chalcopyrite has coated the recessed areas of the crystals, making it exceptionally beautiful (what actually happened is that the original crystal was covered in chalcopyrite, and then the calcite began growing again, enveloping the original crystals in some areas and leaving the chalcopyrite exposed in others - so this is a phantom; you can see the surface of the original crystal about a centimeter inside the later, transparent overgrowth). The piece sits up perfectly without a base, as there is a flat face where the crystal was on the matrix (a natural contact face). Nearly pristine, there is only one gently cleaved tip on the back/front of this is dramatic large speicmen. VERY NICE! Valued at $1000 and worth it.