Chalcopyrite (classic locale) Kay Robertson Coll.

Item Description

This famous old and extinct quartz, barite and gold mine started in the early 17th century and was finally closed in 2005 (MINDAT). It is famous for superb quartz crystal specimens. Excellent chalcopyrite specimens have also been recovered, such as this very fine miniature. The sculptural cluster of intergrown sharp sphenoids, to 2.0 cm, have iron oxide coatings, typical for the locale. The lightly iridescent stepped-growth faces add much color and pizzazz. Ex Kay Robertson Collection # 4122 and acquired from Krantz during a European trip in the mid-1960s. Kay is a prominent California collector, who specialized in European classics (see the article in the March-April, 2007 Mineralogical Record and the 50+ page article in the German Magazine "Mineralien-Welt" November-December 2017). A choice example of the species and locality.