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Chalcopyrite With Galena & Sphalerite

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QRI857274

Chalcopyrite With Galena & Sphalerite

Former B. Cerato (I)
Classic Locality

Description Tabs

Description
Locality: 
Casapalca Mine, Huarochiri Province, Lima Department, Peru
Class: 
Combination
Size Range: 
Miniature (4.5-7 cm)
Size: 
5.7 × 3.5 × 3 cm
Largest Crystal: 
2.00cm
Weight: 
57.00gr
Description

One of the most intriguing specimens of the current auctions: a rather complex combination of sulphides.

On a matrix of mixed sulphides of coarse crystallization, an individual elongated rhombododecahedral crystal appears with partial brassy and partial grey metallic color and good lustre. Initially labelled by Bruno Cerato as chalcopyrite, I do personally think this is a rather original galena later pseudomorphed by chalcopyrite. This main elongated specimen looks like it has developed on an octahedral chalcopyrite, which has growth patterns and some rather reabsorbed (corroded due to chemical instability?) faces.
But the surprise does not end here...

The side faces of the specimen appear stepped. However, upon close inspection some of these stepped show some small sphalerite crystals, which would point towards an epitaxial growth of sphalerite over chalcopyrite.
The specimen is also populated with some more sizeable sphalerite tetrahedrons and some mikly quartz crystals. 

Quite intriguing. From my crystallography suite.

Mineral Data
What's on the rock

Chalcopyrite

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

Galena

Formula: 
PbS
Strunz: 
2.CD.10
Crystal System: 
Isometric
Hardness: 
2.5
Colour: 
Lead-grey
Streak: 
Lead-grey

Sphalerite

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

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