Tennantite-Tetrahedrite epitaxial on Chalcopyrite & Sphalerite, ex Burgess Coll.

Item Description

Dramatic and impressive large old-time combination material from one of the famous Cobre Mines at Concepcion del Oro. The sculptural 4-sided pristine rib of quartz crystals is strikingly studded with lustrous to matte-finish tennanite-tetrahedrite epitaxically coated compound and isolated chalcopyrite and sphalerite crystals. The striking large, sharp, lustrous, metallic doubly terminated crystal on one side is 1.0 cm. Interesting crystal chemistry here, as the quartz on one side is bright white, with the other side having a druse of metallics. A few gently bruised crystals reveal the bright iridescent chalcopyrite beneath the overgrowths. A similar specimen is figured on Page 602 of the 2016 El Cobre Mine article in the Mineralogical Record Mexico Special Issue VII. A exceptional, large and rare four-sided specimen. RARE, old-time material collected in the early 1950s, according to the label of respected rarities dealer, Josef Vajdak (Pequa Minerals) . Ex David Burgess Collection, for whom Burgessite is named.