Calcite with Chalcopyrite & Marcasite (classic 1979 find)

Item Description

Intergrown, lustrous, gray calcite scalenohedrons in striking spiky groups form an impressive and sculptural large two-sided specimen from a famous large single 1979 pocket at the well-known Brushy Creek Mine. Scintillating intermixed iridescent golden chalcopyrite and marcasite crystals preferentially coat the recessed areas of the calcites. The large angled calcite is 9.2 cm long. What actually happened is that the original crystals were covered with chalcopyrite and marcasite, and then the calcite resumed growing again, enveloping the original crystals in some areas and leaving the sulfides exposed in others, so these are phantoms. Backlighting of one of the translucent calcites shows the surface of the original calcite inside the later, translucent overgrowth. Most of the crystals are opaque. Complete all-around and in great shape. The bruised tip to the 2nd largest calcite and the clean repair near the tip of the largest crystal are certainly only modest detractions. More specimens were recovered from the large cavity system in the mid-1990s from a specimen-mining venture. Highly representative classic calcite with sulfide accessories from this famous find.