CUBANITE
Specimen cub-1
$ 150.00Dims: 4.0" x 1.4" x 1.3" (10.2 x 3.6 x 3.3 cm)
Wt: 4.24 oz. (120.4 g)
Henderson Mine #2, Chibougamau, Quebec, Canada
A crust made up of small Cubanite crystals partially coats the limestone host rock of this specimen. Most of the crystals are extremely small, not exceeding 1 or 2 mm in diameter, but one approaches 1/4" (7-8 mm), and there is part of a single face visible that spans almost 0.5" (1.3 cm). There is only a small amount of visible damage on the crust. The crystals are prismatic and appear to be hexagonal, which means that the Cubanite has undergone cyclic twinning. A few of the crystals, however, appear not to have a symmetrical shape, but this may be due to growth-related abnormalities. They have a dull golden color that appears more orange or brown in some areas and a metallic luster. They rest among a bed of small, colorless, transparent blades of calcite that also partially coat the black limestone host rock.