Detailed information
Species
Bournonite, Chalcopyrite, Quartz
Dimensions
28 x 44 x 30
mm
Weight
47 g
Locality
Herodsfoot Mine Lanreath, Liskeard District Cornwall, England
Condition
No recorded repairs
This miniature-sized Bournonite from the all-time classic occurrence at Herodsfoot mine in Cornwall is rather unusual in its crystallized form which is presumably why it was owned by the Victorian polymath John Ruskin, who just loved complex shapes. Its form, as pitted skeletal crystals, is very eye-catching and maintains a fine gun-metal grey colour and historic patina. The overall form of the Bournonite crystals is still one of tabular to bladed 'cogwheel' crystals which are partially embedded within crystallized vein Quartz. The largest 'cogwheel' reaches 2.7 cm across. Patches of bright golden Chalcopyrite are dispersed across the skeletal surfaces of the Bournonite providing a really attractive flash of colour. A small, but truly exceptional Bournonite from this world-renowned historic occurrence and from a famous British collector.