Detailed information
Species
Chalcopyrite, Quartz
Dimensions
97 x 84 x 50
mm
Weight
593 g
Locality
Osarizawa Mine Kazuno City Akita Prefecture, Japan
Condition
No recorded repairs
This fine cabinet-sized display Chalcopyrite and Quartz is documented as from Osarizawa mine in Akita Prefecture, but I have found nothing comparable online suggesting perhaps that it is from another of Japan's famous copper mines within that Prefecture. Consisting a rich vein of bright golden metallic Chalcopyrite and white Quartz the upper display surface is covered in well-crystallized tetragonal Chalcopyrite with individual crystals reaching 1 cm on edge. The crystals are extremely well-defined for this species but there is damage to the edges of some crystals with the bright underlying Chalcopyrite shining through. The Quartz forms crusts composed of small terminated crystals. A fine Japanese classic, possibly dating back to the 1960s or 1970s. Ex David Hardman collection.