COVELLITE

SPECIMEN DESCRIPTION

Despite this former copper mine only laying claim to three mineral species, the Covellite it produced is quite magnificent. From Reynolds mine (aka Reynolds Tunnel) at Summitville in Rio Grande County, Colorado, USA, a matrix of hard polycrystalline dark grey Quartz has its top surface totally covered with large, thin bladed Covellite crystals, many at least 2 cm long, often metallic brassy gold on one side and iridescent deep indigo on the other. Covellite is a copper sulphide and this small cabinet specimen is a wonderful example.