Enargite (w. chalcocite and pyrite, in feldspathic sandstone); ore specimen.

TSNB857
Specimen
Bruce, I.Kesler CollectionSchneiderhöhn, H.
Exhibit 1. Enargite (w. chalcocite and pyrite, in feldspathic sandstone); ore specimen. 80 mm.
Exhibit 1. Enargite (w. chalcocite and pyrite, in feldspathic sandstone); ore specimen. 80 mm.
Image Credit: Malcolm Southwood
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Specimen Title

Enargite (w. chalcocite and pyrite, in feldspathic sandstone); ore specimen.

Associated Minerals

chalcocite; covellite (?); germanite (?); pyrite; quartz

Principal Mineral

Enargite

Size

Cabinet; 80mm

Location in the Mine

First oxidation zone; 5 Level

Provenance

Schneiderhöhn, H.; Kesler Collection; Bruce, I.

Collection

Southwood, M.; MS2025.063

Collected by

Hans Schneiderhöhn; 1914-1919

Entry Number

Specimen; TSNB857

Description

Feldspathic sandstone richly, but irregularly, mineralised with sulphides, including enargite, chalcocite, covellite (?), germanite (?) and pyrite.


The specimen was collected by OMEG geologist/mineralogist Hans Schneiderhöhn between 1914 and 1919 and is accompanied by his handwritten label (Exhibit 2) which reads: "V. Sohle. Sulphidisch vererzt. „Aplit" lamellarer Kupferglanz, Enargit in großen Kristallen, Kupferindig, Pyrit, u. I. M. auch Germanit." [= 5 Level. Sulphide mineralisation. ‘Aplite‘ with lamellar chalcocite, enargite in large crystals, covellite, pyrite and minor (?) germanite.] (Ernst Schnaitmann translation, November 2025).


(Germanite was described as a new mineral by Pufahl only in 1922, prior to which the uncharacterised mineral had been referred to (by Schneiderhöhn) as "Rosa Erz". It is possible that Schneiderhöhn’s handwritten description was added later, although the label (Exhibit 2) bears his personal 1914-1919 date stamp.)