Hoppered Galena on Chalcopyrite (old classic)

Item Description

Sculptural, interestingly hoppered, lustrous, galena cubes are richly scattered on this large and fine plate of intergrown, chalcopyrite crystals. The sphenoidal twins are lustrous, brassy, with a micro crystal coating. The very large central crystal is 5.0 cm tall. The back of the plate has mirror-bright, striated pyrite cubes and massive sphalerite. Location information from the previous owner was Rhine-Phaltz area, Hartz Mts., Germany. Reviewing the MINDAT photo gallery for large, sharp German chalcopyrites like this, the only similar locality is the Fusseberg Mine, Biersdorf, Herdorf, Siegerland, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. An ancient iron and copper mine, first mentioned in 1712 and closed in 1965. Undoubtably old material, and it came from an old collection we are told. An excellent and rare German combination specimen. valued $750