Covellite

specimen number:
2063389

location:
Leonard Mine, Butte, Silver Bow Co., Montana, USA

description:
A choice grouping of somewhat iridescent blue platy bladed covellite crystals. Little attached matrix and massive pyrite, the latter on the bottom of the piece. Minimal micro-damage present typical of these, for a Montana covellite specimen this is in really good condition. The specimen comes with a previous label from the collection of Ray DeMark.

Situated in the famous Butte Mining District of Silver Bow County, Montana, the Leonard Mine operated as one of the premier underground copper producers along the rich Butte vein systems. Formed during Late Cretaceous hydrothermal activity within fractures of the Butte Quartz Monzonite, the deep ore bodies yielded extraordinary metallic mineral suites. Among collectors and mineralogists, the Leonard Mine is legendary for producing world-class covellite specimens during the peak of its twentieth-century underground operations. Highly prized for their rich indigo-blue color, iridescent brassy tarnish, and sharp, platy hexagonal crystal clusters, these historic covellite specimens remain some of the finest ever recovered from North America.

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