Detailed information
Species
Chalcocite, Calcite
Dimensions
57 x 48 x 37
mm
Locality
Camborne - Redruth - St Day District Cornwall England
Condition
No recorded repairs
Based on appearance and patina, this is an old-time specimen of superb Chalcocite crystals in a matrix of Calcite crystals from the Camborne-Redruth mining district in Cornwall, England. Lustrous, metallic lead-grey, pseudo-hexagonal crystals of Chalcocite, typically between 5 and 7 mm across, richly invest a bed of cream rhombohedral Calcite crystals to about 1 mm. The Chalcocite and Calcite cover a mixed massive Chalcocite and granular, iron-stained Calcite matrix. All the Chalcocite crystals are undamaged and show remarkable perfection in form, displaying beautifully on this very choice large miniature. An older typed label affixed to the back of the specimen records its provenance as "Redruth, Cornwall, Eng". Its form, and associated matrix is very distinctive but has not yet been isolated to a specific mine. Ex Professor Werner Paar collection.