Calcite with Chalcopyrite and Malachite (classic locality)

Item Description

A wonderful small cabinet display specimen from this famous historic Au/Ag/Cu mine in New Mexico, which historical records dates back to the 1700s. Specimens are fairly rare, and good showy hand-sized pieces are certainly in demand among New Mexico collectors. This piece features a predominant, chalky white scalenohedron of Calcite measuring 6.3 cm, along with additional accenting Calcite crystals, which are associated with sharp tetrahedral crystals of oxidized bronze colored Chalcopyrite (some of the broken crystals show a more metallic brassy color internally), which have partially altered to mint green Malachite on the surface, and measuring up to 1.0 cm on edge. Minor Quartz is present on the piece for a nice touch. The main Calcite crystal is not broken, as the top-most termination is partially "hollow" and filled in with minor iron oxide, but I looked at it closely with a loupe, and it's definitely crystallized, so the crystal is certainly doubly-terminated. The piece is trimmed nicely to allow the piece to sit and display quite beautifully on its own without the aid of a base or clay. A very nice piece of these beautiful and distinctive association specimens from this famous old mine. Valued $1,800.
Ex Les Presmyk / De Natura specimen.