Rhodochrosite with Chalcopyrite and Pyrite (rare combo for the locale)

Item Description

The famous Huaron Mine in central Peru is best known for its fantastic sulfide mineral specimens, sometimes with excellent Quartz associations, but unlike many other Peruvian mines, we don't see a lot of Rhodochrosite from this locality. A few years ago, there was a very small discovery of some really attractive Rhodochrosite specimens which were associated with both Pyrite and Chalcopyrite, a rare combination for this locality. This small cabinet display specimen features a coverage of sparkling / drusy, soft pink bubbly Rhodochrosite (covering underlain Quartz) which plays host to razor-sharp metallic crystals of pyritohedral soft golden colored Pyrite and dispenoidal, bright golden colored crystals of Chalcopyrite. Upon close inspection, you can see that both the Pyrite and Chalcopyrite crystals look beautiful, as they are notably splendent and feature textbook crystal forms. If you look very closely, some of the Chalcopyrite crystals have tiny overgrowths (epitaxial?) of what is most likely Tetrahedrite. This combination of the metallic sulfides on the pink Rhodochrosite is beautiful and not often seen from any locality in Peru. A must have for any fan of Peruvian minerals or sulfide / carbonate combination specimens. You may not see these again, so don't miss out as very few were available to us.