Covellite

A rosette-like group of interwoven bladed Covellite crystals up to about 3.5 cm wide cover a hidden matrix of massive Covellite from the classic mining district of Butte in Montana, USA, a locality renowned for fine specimens of this species.  The overall appearance of the specimen is sooty grey-black because deep shadows cast between interlocking crystals are mirrored in the crystals lustre.  On closer inspection however, the crystals display bright peacock colours in iridescent indigo blue, rose-pink and purple, all with a bright metallic lustre, a characteristic of such platy Covellite crystals. This is an excellent example of well crystallised Covellite from this most famous and classic of American mining districts.