Location: Sweetwater Mine, Viburnum Trend, Reynolds County, Missouri

Size: 3.35 x 2.35 x 1.54 inches

This specimen has the highly sought after iridescent Chalcopyrite. There are also small white Dolomite crystals. I was lucky enough to pick up a few of these at very competitive prices and am passing the savings along to you.

Chalcopyrite is a copper iron sulfide mineral and the most abundant copper ore mineral.  It is frequently confused with pyrite and sometimes even gold since all three of these minerals have a similar color and luster. A characteristic that helps distinguish Chalcopyrite and pyrite is that Chalcopyrite is much softer than pyrite and can be scratched with a knife.

NOTE: Most specimens of chalcopyrite that have a bright blue or purple iridescence were treated with acid to enhance their visual appeal. This piece is naturally occurring.