Siderite with Chalcopyrite

specimen number:
2063556

location:
Kaiwu Mine, Hezhang County, Bijie, Guizhou, China

description:
Attractive combination piece with lustrous slightly translucent large rhombohedral crystals of siderite measuring to 4.0 cm in size in a cluster hosting many golden lustrous crystals of chalcopyrite to 0.8 cm. This is in good condition. The specimen comes with a previous label from the collection of Ray DeMark.

Located in Hezhang County within the Bijie Prefecture of Guizhou Province, China, the Kaiwu Mine is an underground mining operation situated in a region rich in carbonate rocks and hydrothermally altered base-metal ore deposits. The regional geology features extensive iron and copper mineralization formed through hydrothermal fluids migrating through fault zones within carbonate host rocks. Mining in the district focuses on iron and copper extraction, but the locality gained international recognition among mineral collectors due to the discovery of aesthetic, high-quality specimens. Siderite at the Kaiwu Mine typically occurs as lustrous, dark greenish-brown to tan lenticular crystals and bladed aggregates resembling fish scales, creating a striking substrate. Perched atop or intergrown with this siderite matrix are brilliant, brassy yellow chalcopyrite crystals, which predominantly display sharp tetrahedral habits and occasional twinning. The sharp contrast between the shiny metallic chalcopyrite and the lustrous, curved siderite matrix makes specimens from this mine highly prized additions to mineral collections worldwide.

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