Chalcopyrite var. Blister Copper

Item Description

This is one of the larger and more unusual pieces we purchased in 2019 from a small discovery of surprisingly rich and large examples of the botryoidal (rounded) form of chalcopyrite called by the old English miners "Blister Copper." This was found a few years ago now, but only recently got back from the lab after trimming and cleaning. The very three-dimensional, mounded surface features numerous, brassy colored intergrown botryoids of Chalcopyrite averaging about 0.75 cm across. A sort of pyramidal mound of Chalcopyrite on one side rises to about 7 cm and then the botryoids cascade off to the right - like a geological growth, really! There are few minerals that look like this, with the metallic and biological look combined. Blister Copper, as it is often called, comes from a few other places in the world, but it is generally much uglier, to be blunt. The tops of the botryoids are smooth with the interstices and satin luster. One compromised botryoid reveals the internal concentric growth texture within, which is interesting to see. The bottom and backside of the piece show Chalcopyrite to be deposited on a matrix of sulfides and carbonates. This bright, brassy cluster came to us in a small "COVID-era" find in China, but the brassy Chalcopyrite clusters in a smaller size (often called blister copper) could initially be mistaken for old, classic finds from Cornwall. Unusual material from anywhere, be it China or England! This is one of the few specimens of show quality, complete, in this size range. Valued $5000-plus, as they seem quite unique and are much bigger than comparably priced but much smaller examples from England might be (if you could find one). No more have come out of China in over a year, so if you talk about interesting new finds of limited quantity, that should appreciate in time, I would vote for these strange and elegant specimens to be among the future classics from China today. They are much better than their predecessors we might have seen in museums and old collections, and just beautiful on a shelf. We have very few left for sale, and this one only exists still for sale because it came rather late back from the cleaning lab, due to covid delays. Get one while you can!