Pyrite with Chalcocite (rare from Tsumeb) (ex Al Kidwell Collection)

Item Description

You don't see a lot of sulfides from Tsumeb, mostly because the majority of the ore species, altered / oxidized and become other minerals, but outside of the oxidized zone there were finds of sulfides like Pyrite, which is actually quite scarce from this famous and prolific mine. I'm told that there wasn't a lot of iron at Tsumeb, which explains why you don't see much in way of Pyrite. This particular specimen is one of the best crystallized Pyrites we've ever had to offer from the locality featuring dozens of sharp, well-formed, lustrous, metallic, soft golden colored, striated crystals measuring up to 1.0 cm across associated with dark grey-black Chalcocite. The Pyrite crystals are rather modified, but I can see pyritohedral, octahedral and cubic faces for sure, and I have to believe there could be other crystal habits as well. Minimal damage, but overall it's in good shape, and you can't be too picky with these Pyrites, as very few of them exist. If you collect sulfides, Tsumeb minerals or odd locality specimens, do not miss out on this wonderful and frankly good quality display specimen from this most historic of localities. From the worldwide mineral collection of Albert Lewis Kidwell (January 1, 1919 - August 16, 2008). Al was a well-known mineral collector and research geologist with Carter Oil Company and later Exxon Oil Company in Houston, Texas. The phosphate species Kidwellite was named in his honor in 1974.