Gypsum (w. chalcocite and hematite)

TSNB851
Specimen
Feinglos, M.N.Frech, W.New, D.
Exhibit 1. Gypsum (w. chalcocite and hematite).
Exhibit 1. Gypsum (w. chalcocite and hematite).
Image Credit: Malcolm Southwood
Exhibit 2. Specimen label (Frech).
Exhibit 2. Specimen label (Frech).
Image Credit: MGMH archive
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Specimen Title

Gypsum (w. chalcocite and hematite)

Associated Minerals

chalcocite; hematite

Principal Mineral

Gypsum

Size

Cabinet; 110mm

Location in the Mine

First oxidation zone; 4 Level

Provenance

Frech, W.; New, D.; Feinglos, M.N.

Collection

MGMH; 2022.4.6541L

Entry Number

Specimen; TSNB851

Description

A mass of colourless, largely transparent gypsum, the surface of which is encrusted with an intergrowth of chalcocite and hematite (XRD verified; Paul Carr, University of Wollongong, 2023).


Mark Feinglos purchased this specimen from David New in March 1996. It is accompanied by an older Will and Jean Frech label (Exhibit 2) attributing it to 4 Level in the first oxidation zone with a collection date of "circa 1950". Note that all of the early labels describe the specimen as "Covellite on gypsum"; XRD analysis, however, identifies the near-black encrustation as a mixture of chalcocite and hematite.