2" Siderite Crystals on Chalcopyrite - Peru

This is a cluster of brown rhombohedral siderite crystals that formed over chalcopyrite, collected from the Julcani Mine in Huancavelica, Peru.

Siderite, also known as "chalybite", is an iron carbonate mineral that belongs to the calcite group. It can contain a wide variety of impurities, including manganese, magnesium, calcium, zinc, and cobalt. Brown hues are typical for siderite, though occasional specimens can be white and gray. It can occur as rhombohedral crystals with rounded faces, and as scalenohedral crystals in rare cases. Botryoidal, concretionary, massive, stalactitic, and mammillary are some of the more common formations of siderite.

Since siderite is such a prevalent mineral, it can be found all around the world in a wide variety of colors and formations. The Morro Velho Mine in Minas Gerais, Brazil is noteworthy for producesing beautiful gemmy siderite specimens. The crystals collected from here are often translucent yellow-green in color, and form in association with dolomite, cubanite, pyrrhotite, and chalcopyrite.

The chemical formula of siderite is FeCO3, with the variable formula including manganese, magnesium, calcite, zinc and cobalt ((Fe,Mg,Ca,Mn,Zn,Co)CO3).

Chalcopyrite is a brass-yellow colored mineral and an important copper ore. When weathered, chalcopyrite loses its metallic luster, turning a gray-green color. When exposed to acids, the tarnish can develop a red, blue, or purple iridescence: this acid-treated material is often sold under the name peacock ore.
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DETAILS
SPECIES
Siderite & Chalcopyrite
LOCATION
Julcani Mine, Julcani District, Angaraes Province, Huancavelica, Peru
SIZE
2" wide
CATEGORY
ITEM
#173396