CHALCOPYRITE & SIDERITE

02080

Locality

Hezhang County, Bijie Prefecture, Guizhou Province, China

Dimensions (H x W x D)

9 x 15.5 x 4.2 cm

Weight

1.018 kg

Description & Provenance

This is a lovely specimen composed of a cluster of lustrous chalcopyrite crystals that are interspersed with vitreous blades of siderite. It was recovered from a small copper ore mine in Hezhang County. The chalcopyrite has a dazzling, metallic luster, and a brassy tone that complements the sleek, yet delicate, olive-brown siderite blades. The marriage of these two minerals provides the piece with an aesthetic combination of textures, shapes, and tones. Additionally, this piece has an unusual, overall form that is heart-shaped and very attractive. As mining in Hezhang faces increasing challenges in management and regulation, specimens such as this are fast disappearing from the marketplace, indicating the likely exhaustion of chalcopyrite from this locality in years to come.

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