Calcite with iridescent Chalcopyrite

Item Description

A dramatic, very sculptural, CABINET calcite specimen from the famous Brushy Creek Mine of Missouri. This striking piece is dominated by a 7.3 cm, lustrous, translucent, doubly terminted and twinned calcite crystal. The very showy jumble of smaller calcite scalenohedrons is preferentially coated with sparkly, iridescent, multi-hued, chalcopyrite microcrystals. These specimens have very interesting development: the original scalenohedrons were all covered with chalcopyrite, and then the calcite began growing again, enveloping the original crystal in some areas and leaving the chalcopyrite exposed in others. The lightly cleaved termination on the large twin and two of the smaller crystals is noted. Irregardless, this remains an impressive, large example of the classic combination species and well-known locality.