SPHALERITE, QUARTZ, CHALCOPYRITE (cabinet)

Sphalerite, a sulfide mineral represented by the chemical formula (Zn, Fe)S, serves as the primary source of zinc. This mineral occurs in various types of deposits, predominantly in sedimentary exhalative, Mississippi-Valley type, and volcanogenic massive sulfide formations. It is commonly associated with minerals such as galena, chalcopyrite, pyrite, as well as calcite, dolomite, quartz, rhodochrosite, and fluorite.

Chalcopyrite is a mineral composed of copper, iron, and sulfur, recognized as the primary source of copper ore. Its chemical composition is represented by the formula CuFeS2, and it crystallizes within the tetragonal system. The mineral exhibits a brassy to golden yellow hue and possesses a hardness rating of 3.5 to 4 on the Mohs scale, with a distinctive green-tinged black streak.

Quartz is a robust crystalline mineral made up of silica, or silicon dioxide. Its structure consists of a continuous arrangement of SiO4 silicon-oxygen tetrahedra, where each oxygen atom is shared between two tetrahedra, resulting in the chemical formula SiO2. This classification places quartz as a framework silicate mineral in terms of structure and as an oxide mineral in terms of composition. It ranks as the second most prevalent mineral in the continental crust of Earth, following feldspar.

Private Peruvian Collection. Very rare as the mines closed decades ago. Former Steve Moon Collection.