Djurleite from Bou Azzer mining district, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco

4W8-UR7Djurleite Cu₃₁S₁₆

Aït Ahmane, Tansifte Caïdat, Agdz Cercle, Zagora Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco

Dimensions: 4.0 cm x 2.8 cm x 0.7 cm

Here is a truly important miniature djurleite from finds in Morocco in early 2016 that are now considered best of species. The tabular, complex and geometric crystal exhibits a satin metallic luster with a gunmetal gray color; and is 4.2 cm in maximum dimension. Djurleite is chemically similar to, but much rarer than, chalcocite. The intricate and geometric growth features on the surface are what really takes this to another level and almost look designed and welded onto the surface of an otherwise flat crystal, giving it a machined or man-made look. It is unusually robust, as well, compared to other examples from this find which were more elegant and fragile in general. This natural "design" on the front may actually represent incipient hopper growth or maybe a later generation of djurleite "plated" onto an earlier formed djurleite crystal. This is an outstanding miniature that totally outdoes any other previously known examples of this species. It was a world class find that reset the standard for this rare copper sulfide species from the remote Moroccan mountains. No more have been found. The quality of this single pocket is such that another seems very unlikely. Multiple analyses, including the Paris National Museum, have confirmed the identity as djurleite, not chalcocite as some had suspected.

YVF-A1WDjurleite Cu₃₁S₁₆

Aït Ahmane, Tansifte Caïdat, Agdz Cercle, Zagora Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco

Dimensions: 3.7 cm x 3.3 cm x 2.7 cm

3.7 x 3.3 x 2.7 cm. An exquisite miniature with several thick textbook-shaped djurleite crystals aesthetically perched on a sliver of matrix. The crystals, to 1.4 cm across, are perfectly formed and show amazing beveled edges. For the species, this kind of sharpness is almost unheard of. Confirmed by multiple analyses (including the Paris National Museum).

43V-DR4Djurleite Cu₃₁S₁₆

Aït Ahmane, Tansifte Caïdat, Agdz Cercle, Zagora Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco

Dimensions: 7 cm x 4.4 cm x 2 cm
Largest Crystal Size: 3.2 cm

A novelty at Tucson 2017. Djurleite-Chalcocite (intergrowth) mined carefully over 7 months in the Aït Ahmane area (it seems that not in the same shafts that produced the famous Gersdorffites) and presented in Tucson 2017.
We believe that for the sharpness of the crystals and their size this find will highlight Aït Ahmane as one of the world's best localities for this not so common species.
Aït Ahmane, Bou Azzer District, Zagora Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco
Found in 11/2014-05/2015
Specimen size: 7 × 4.4 × 2 cm = 2.8” × 1.7” × 0.8”
Main crystal size: 3.2 × 3.1 cm = 1.3” × 1.2”
TC47AE7

F86-AHADjurleite Cu₃₁S₁₆ , Chalcocite ? Cu₂S

Aït Ahmane, Tansifte Caïdat, Agdz Cercle, Zagora Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco

Dimensions: 2.1 cm x 1.7 cm x 0.5 cm

A novelty at Tucson 2017. Djurleite-Chalcocite (intergrowth) mined carefully over 7 months in the Aït Ahmane area (it seems that not in the same shafts that produced the famous Gersdorffites) and presented for the first time in Tucson 2017.
We believe that for the sharpness of the crystals and their size this find will highlight Aït Ahmane as one of the world's best localities for this not so common species.
Aït Ahmane, Bou Azzer District, Zagora Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco
Found in 11/2014-05/2015
Specimen size: 2.1 × 1.7 × 0.5 cm = 0.8” × 0.7” × 0.2”
TA89AE7

VY9-M36Djurleite Cu₃₁S₁₆ , Chalcocite ? Cu₂S

Aït Ahmane, Tansifte Caïdat, Agdz Cercle, Zagora Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco

Dimensions: 2.4 cm x 1.4 cm x 1.4 cm
Largest Crystal Size: 1.5 cm

A novelty at Tucson 2017. Djurleite-Chalcocite (intergrowth) mined carefully over 7 months in the Aït Ahmane area (it seems that not in the same shafts that produced the famous Gersdorffites) and presented in Tucson 2017.
We believe that for the sharpness of the crystals and their size this find will highlight Aït Ahmane as one of the world's best localities for this not so common species.
Aït Ahmane, Bou Azzer District, Zagora Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco
Found in 11/2014-05/2015
Specimen size: 2.4 × 1.4 × 1.4 cm = 0.9” × 0.6” × 0.6”
Main crystal size: 1.5 × 1.4 cm = 0.6” × 0.6”
TB50AE7

CFE-LURDjurleite Cu₃₁S₁₆ , Chalcocite ? Cu₂S

Aït Ahmane, Tansifte Caïdat, Agdz Cercle, Zagora Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco

Dimensions: 4.2 cm x 2 cm x 2.3 cm
Largest Crystal Size: 1 cm

A novelty at Tucson 2017. Aggregate on matrix of very sharp laminar crystals, bright and with a very well defined pseudohexagonal contour. The analysis indicates an intimate intergrowth of Djurleite and Chalcocite.
Aït Ahmane, Bou Azzer District, Zagora Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco
Found in 11/2014-05/2015
Specimen size: 4.2 × 2 × 2.3 cm = 1.7” × 0.8” × 0.9”
Main crystal size: 1 × 1 cm = 0.4” × 0.4”
TF76AE8

2TG-950Djurleite Cu₃₁S₁₆ , Chalcocite ? Cu₂S

Aït Ahmane, Tansifte Caïdat, Agdz Cercle, Zagora Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco

Dimensions: 3 cm x 1.7 cm x 1.7 cm
Largest Crystal Size: 0.9 cm

A novelty at Tucson 2017. Aggregate, on a small matrix, of very sharp laminar crystals, bright and with a very well defined pseudohexagonal contour. The analysis indicates an intimate intergrowth of Djurleite and Chalcocite.
Aït Ahmane, Bou Azzer District, Zagora Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco
Found in 11/2014-05/2015
Specimen size: 3 × 1.7 × 1.7 cm = 1.2” × 0.7” × 0.7”
Main crystal size: 0.9 × 0.6 cm = 0.4” × 0.2”
TM7AE8

Y7N-W9QDjurleite Cu₃₁S₁₆ , Chalcocite ? Cu₂S

Aït Ahmane, Tansifte Caïdat, Agdz Cercle, Zagora Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco

Dimensions: 5.7 cm x 4 cm x 2.4 cm
Largest Crystal Size: 2.4 cm

A novelty at Tucson 2017. Aggregate on matrix of bright laminar crystals with pseudohexagonal contour. The analysis indicates an intimate intergrowth of Djurleite and Chalcocite.
This specimen was published on the Mineralogical Record´s web page, in the ‘What's New’ section, report 46, April 14, 2017 edition.
Aït Ahmane, Bou Azzer District, Zagora Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco
Found in 11/2014-05/2015
Specimen size: 5.7 × 4 × 2.4 cm = 2.2” × 1.6” × 0.9”
Main crystal size: 2.4 × 1.2 cm = 0.9” × 0.5”
TV99AE8

NKQ-JKYDjurleite Cu₃₁S₁₆ , Chalcocite ? Cu₂S

Aït Ahmane, Tansifte Caïdat, Agdz Cercle, Zagora Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco

Dimensions: 5.6 cm x 4.2 cm x 3.5 cm
Largest Crystal Size: 2.3 cm

A novelty at Tucson 2017. Aggregate on matrix of bright laminar crystals with pseudohexagonal contour. The analysis indicates an intimate intergrowth of Djurleite and Chalcocite.
Aït Ahmane, Bou Azzer District, Zagora Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco
Found in 11/2014-05/2015
Specimen size: 5.6 × 4.2 × 3.5 cm = 2.2” × 1.7” × 1.4”
Main crystal size: 2.3 × 2 cm = 0.9” × 0.8”
TR66AE8

3F7-NW5Djurleite Cu₃₁S₁₆

Aït Ahmane, Tansifte Caïdat, Agdz Cercle, Zagora Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco

Dimensions: 6.2 cm x 4.1 cm x 2.6 cm

6.2 x 4.1 x 2.6 cm. One of the more elegant specimens in its size range from this one remarkable pocket, this piece has better luster and sharper crystals than most others. A thin septa of greenstone forms the matrix for a gorgeous cluster of thin tabular, sharp, lustrous, battleship-gray crystals of djurleite to 1.9 cm in length. Most of the crystals exhibit shallow hopper growth along their long faces, which gives them a more interesting look and reflects light more. Much rarer than its close cousin chalcocite, these djurleite specimens have reached their worldwide zenith in this one pocket at Bou Azer. Confirmed by multiple analyses (including the Paris National Museum).