Rutile (w. chalcocite, pyrite and quartz)

TSNB850
Specimen
Feinglos, M.N.Key, C.L.
Exhibit 1. Rutile (w. chalcocite, pyrite and quartz); 77 mm.
Exhibit 1. Rutile (w. chalcocite, pyrite and quartz); 77 mm.
Image Credit: Malcolm Southwood
Exhibit 2. 3 mm field of view.
Exhibit 2. 3 mm field of view.
Image Credit: Malcolm Southwood
Exhibit 3. Specimen label (Key).
Exhibit 3. Specimen label (Key).
Image Credit: MGMH archive
Exhibit 4. Specimen data card (Feinglos).
Exhibit 4. Specimen data card (Feinglos).
Image Credit: MGMH archive
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Specimen Title

Rutile (w. chalcocite, pyrite and quartz)

Associated Minerals

chalcocite; germanite (?); pyrite; quartz

Principal Mineral

Rutile

Size

Cabinet; 77mm

Location in the Mine

Third oxidation zone; 44 Level

Collection

MGMH; 2022.4.6362L

Entry Number

Specimen; TSNB850

Description

Massive sulphide ore with a circa 40 mm vug containing quartz crystals and chalcocite crystals (both species to 4 mm), and pyrite microcrystals. Resting on the pyrite are sparse, straw-yellow prismatic crystals of rutile (XRD confirmed; Andy Roberts, Geological Survey of Canada).


Mark Feinglos acquired this specimen as an unidentified species from Charlie Key in June 1995, apparently one of several ore specimens attributed to 44 Level. Key’s typed label (Exhibit 3) reads: "U.K. [= unknown] species – one of only three extant specimens as far as I know. Yellow prisms striated, vitreous, terminated by pinacoids, with Pyrite and Qtz. and Chalcocite. Note the matrix seems to have a lot of Germanite." The Feinglos data card (Exhibit 4) notes that rutile was identified by XRD and attributes the specimen to 44 Level.