Chalcopyrite, Rhodochrosite & Quartz (RARE combo) Kay Robertson Coll.

Item Description

Mineral specimens of any species are RARE from this much less well-known Sonora, Mexico mining district. This is an EXTREMELY RARE, very showy and large quartz and sulfide combination plate. A 1.3 cm, bright brassy, striated pyritohedron dramatically crowns the sculptural triangular plate. Aesthetically scattered among the glassy, water-clear quartz points, to 2.0 cm, are: sharp, lustrous, coated bronzy-gray, striated chalcopyrite crystals (you can see the bright golden chalcopyrite on a couple of gently bruised crystals); a 3.8 cm long cluster on the left side of intergrown, charcoal-gray tennantite crystals; and VERY RARE contrasting clusters of tan flattened rhodochrosite rhombs. MINDAT does not list tennantite or rhodochrosite for Nacozari. Undoubtedly older material from the 1960s or 70s or earlier. Great combination material from the locale and the Kay Robertson Collecition # 5334. Kay is a prominent California collector, who specialized in European classics (see the article in the March-April, 2007 Mineralogical Record).