Tennantite Subgroup

Item Description

This is an older specimen from the 1990s, and one of the best crystallized examples of the material that we've had to offer from Dzhezkazgan. This miniature specimen features a coverage of fine sharp, well-formed, crystals of steel-black Tennantite sitting on a layer of Quartz on matrix. The largest Tennantite crystal measures 7 mm on edge. This is not Tetrahedrite, as only the Tennantite Subgroup has been reported from this area, so I'm assuming this was an oversight when the piece was originally sold. I can't say for certain which species of Tennantite this is, it would have to be analyzed to know for certain. Dzhezkazgan mines are famous for some excellent example of crystals sulfide species, and this piece is a very good example of this now hard-to-find material. From the collection of Richard ("Rich") A. Kosnar (1946-2007), well-known mineral dealer and the namesake for the rare phosphate species Kosnarite.