Bornite

Carn Brea mine famously lay toward the western end of the lower northern foot of Carn Brea, an elongated granite boss emanating from the Carnmenellis Granite. This mine is well known for its specimens of crystallised Bornite and this is a very fine small miniature. A 3.2 x 1.0 x 1.5 cm cluster of sharply defined sooty black to semi-metallic Bornite crystals project out either side of a creamy-tan thin block of Orthoclase mixed with Quartz matrix. The Bornite crystals range in size from about 1 mm up to 1 cm with some faces forming precise hexagonal plates. On one side the Bornite displays a play of iridescent peacock colours so characteristic of this species.