Detailed information
Species
Djurleite
Dimensions
52 x 60 x 25
mm
Locality
Ait Ahmane, Agdz Cercle Zagora Province, Draa-Tafilalet Region Morocco
Condition
No recorded repairs
Djurleite is a rare copper sulphide similar chemically to Chalcocite, but structurally quite different. Up until 2014/2015 well crystallized Djurleite was really not known but a single pocket found at Ait Ahmane in the remote mountains at Agdz Cercle, Draa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco has completely changed our perception of the species with most specimens from this find marketed during the Tucson Show in 2017 with no more found since. Multiple reports of analyses of material from this pocket have show that Djurleite is the dominant phase present, although some Chalcocite intergrowth also occurs. This large miniature-sized specimen is one of the larger crystallized pieces found, and shows a fantastic intergrown arrangement of dark grey metallic platy hexagonal crystals. Some of the crystals are fractured along their edges, but many are totally complete and produce a stunning overall display of this rare copper sulphide. It is from the superb systematic collection assembled by the brothers Martin and Michael Günther (1951-2007 & 1956-2021).