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Sphalerite & Chalcopyrite

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NST707552

Sphalerite & Chalcopyrite

Description Tabs

Description
Locality: 
Büschhof Quarry, Wirtenbach, Waldbröl, Cologne, North Rhine - Westphalia, Germany
Class: 
Crystals on Matrix
Size Range: 
Miniature (4.5-7 cm)
Size: 
4.5 × 3.5 × 3 cm
Largest Crystal: 
0.50cm
Description

A miniature showing twinned, orange to red crystals of Sphalerite with epitaxial growth of chalcopyrite. The largest Sphalerite also shows an elongated Pyrite on top. The dolomite matrix also hosts colorful iridescent Chalcopyrites and dozens of small Pyrite cubes.

Büschhof quarry is an interesting locality. Cu-, Fe-, Pb- and Zn-minerals are present inside a fossil devonian stromatopore reef.

Mineral Data
What's on the rock

Sphalerite

Formula: 
ZnS
Strunz: 
2.CB.05a
Crystal System: 
Isometric
Hardness: 
3.5 - 4.0

Chalcopyrite

Formula: 
CuFeS2
Strunz: 
2.CB.10a
Crystal System: 
Tetragonal
Hardness: 
3.5 - 4.0