Chalcopyrite is a very rare mineral at MSH. Compared to famous chalcopyrite localities, the chalcopyrite on this specimen may not look like much, but for MSH, it very rich, and it has been analyzed. (See the “Analysis” tab.)

As shown in the first photo, the chalcopyrite is associated with several very nice spherical aggregates of paper thin gmelinite-Na.

Unfortunately, most of the chalcopyrite is hemmed in by the matrix. There are only a few places were partial faces were able to develop. One of these areas is shown in the next pair of photos (FOV 3.9 x 6.3 mm). The top of the crystal is broken off, showing the characteristic yellow color of fresh chalcopyrite, but one can also see the characteristic stepped growth of chalcopyrite on the unbroken parts.

To add a bit of intrigue, the next three photos (FOV 2.0 x 3.0 mm) show a small (0.8 mm) isolated crystal, slightly detached from the main body of chalcopyrite. To me this looks like pyrrhotite – except perhaps for the color. (The color in the first two photos is more accurate. The third photo came out too yellow for some reason,)

Does chalcopyrite form pseudomorphs after pyrrhotite? I don’t know. I didn’t have the heart to subject this crystal to analysis.

The next pair of photos (FOV 4.6 x 6.3 mm) gives a close-up of some of the gmelinite-Na.

The last two photos are two more views of the entire specimen. As can be seen, the chalcopyrite forms a substantial part of the whole.

The specimen is from the famous Poudrette pegmatite. It was found, along with three others, all associated with gmelinite and/or gobbinsite, on June 28 1997.

Single item shipping weight is 3.1 oz (88 g). For shipments outside the USA, up to a total weight < 8 oz (225g), this can be combined with items from this or other auctions for the same postage.

Within the USA, postage increases by about $0.20 per ounce. Above 13 oz, I will use Priority Mail ($9.25 including packing).