2.3" Lustrous, Golden Chalcopyrite Crystals -Sweetwater Mine, Missouri

This is a beautiful, 2.3" wide cluster of golden chalcopyrite crystals with a stunning metallic luster, that formed in association with dolomite crystals. It was collected from the Sweetwater Mine in Reynolds County, Missouri. Some of these chalcopyrite crystals are iridescent.

The specimen has been mounted to an acrylic display base with mineral tack.

Chalcopyrite is a brass-yellow colored mineral and an important copper ore. When weathered, chalcopyrite loses its metallic luster, turning a gray-green color. When exposed to acids, the tarnish can develop a red, blue, or purple iridescence: this acid-treated material is often sold under the name peacock ore.

Dolomite is an anhydrous carbonate mineral composed of calcium magnesium carbonate (CaMg(CO3)2).

The mineral dolomite crystallizes in the trigonal-rhombohedral system. It forms white, tan, gray, or pink crystals. Dolomite is a double carbonate, having an alternating structural arrangement of calcium and magnesium ions. It does not rapidly dissolve in dilute hydrochloric acid as calcite does. Crystal twinning is common.

Dolomite was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1768, and in 1791 it was described as a rock by the French naturalist and geologist Déodat Gratet de Dolomieu. He first recognized the material in buildings of the old city of Rome, and later as samples collected in the mountains known as the Dolomite Alps of northern Italy.
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DETAILS
SPECIES
Chalcopyrite & Dolomite
LOCATION
Sweetwater Mine, Viburnum Trend, Reynolds County, Missouri
SIZE
Entire specimen: 2.3 x 1.3"
CATEGORY
ITEM
#193782