Wolframite, Chalcopyrite & Pyrite Panasqueira Mines, Covilhã, Castelo...
Wolframite, Chalcopyrite & Pyrite Panasqueira Mines, Covilhã, Castelo Branco, Portugal "A single sharp shiny flat prismatic wolframite crystal of almost three inches with some one inch chalcopyrite crystals growing of the bottom corner with small pyrite crystals rimming the crystal. I bought this specimen from Helen Hankey. At the time it seemed like a huge price." - Rock H. Currier The need for certain elements in industry has provided a handful of mines around the globe with a dependable market for the metals they contained. Mercury from Almaden, Tin from Cornwall, and Tungsten from Panasqueira, to name but a few, have been major sources of these metals critical for modern technology. Panasqueira is host for a number of ore minerals, but Wolframite (Ferberite): a mixed Tungstate of Iron and Manganese is the prime reason for the continued longevity of this mine complex. This Wolframite/Ferberite specimen is a large, thick, bladed crystal of shiny black luster and considerable weight, due to the contained Tungsten. Associated with it are a hefty Chalcopyrite and an ancillary 'frosting' of Pyrite crystals that give the specimen some esthetic complexity often missing in most Wolframite/Ferberite specimens. BTW, the huge purchase price that Rock was referring to was $310 (!) in 2005. Overall Measurements: 3.9 x 2.8 x 1.8 inches (10.0 x 7.0 x 4.5 cm) Offered at no reserve Provenance: Bought from Helen Hankey [RHC #297, acquired 2005] MinID 39A-FLA [Scale: 1 inch, with mark at 1 cm]
HID09710052018
© 2019 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
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Wolframite, Chalcopyrite & Pyrite Panasqueira Mines, Covilhã, Castelo Branco, Portugal "A single sharp shiny flat prismatic wolframite crystal of almost three inches with some one inch chalcopyrite crystals growing of the bottom corner with small pyrite crystals rimming the crystal. I bought this specimen from Helen Hankey. At the time it seemed like a huge price." - Rock H. Currier The need for certain elements in industry has provided a handful of mines around the globe with a dependable market for the metals they contained. Mercury from Almaden, Tin from Cornwall, and Tungsten from Panasqueira, to name but a few, have been major sources of these metals critical for modern technology. Panasqueira is host for a number of ore minerals, but Wolframite (Ferberite): a mixed Tungstate of Iron and Manganese is the prime reason for the continued longevity of this mine complex. This Wolframite/Ferberite specimen is a large, thick, bladed crystal of shiny black luster and considerable weight, due to the contained Tungsten. Associated with it are a hefty Chalcopyrite and an ancillary 'frosting' of Pyrite crystals that give the specimen some esthetic complexity often missing in most Wolframite/Ferberite specimens. BTW, the huge purchase price that Rock was referring to was $310 (!) in 2005. Overall Measurements: 3.9 x 2.8 x 1.8 inches (10.0 x 7.0 x 4.5 cm) Offered at no reserve Provenance: Bought from Helen Hankey [RHC #297, acquired 2005] MinID 39A-FLA [Scale: 1 inch, with mark at 1 cm]
HID09710052018
© 2019 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
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