If anyone is looking for some beautiful chalcopyrite for your collection, I know the perfect guy for you to contact. I met David a few years ago at the Joplin, Missouri Rock and Gem Show at Schifferdecker Park in late September. I had just arrived at Memorial Auditorium in downtown Joplin for the show and he had a booth set up on the east side of the auditorium. When I walked up and began looking at the variety of beautiful minerals from several of the Doe Run Viburnum Trend Mines, he was busy taking care of customers on the other side of the booth and his wife walked over and answered my questions. I was quite taken with the large variety of calcite crystals and lead cubes and just in awe of the multiple colors of what I later learned from him, was chalcopyrite, which is a copper mineral. I remember purchasing a nice plate of druse quartz covered in pyrite and marcasite from him that morning, and returning later the next day and purchasing a few more from him.
I never have a problem purchasing minerals I know I`ll never have a chance to collect myself…I say never, because its pretty safe to say I wont be going down half a mile deep in any of the Doe Run Mines anytime soon, if ever at all. Thats where you have to go to find beautiful specimens like the ones in David`s collection.
Recently, a friend and I traveled down to his house and met with David, and after reviewing what he had in stock, purchased a few specimens from him yet again. See for yourself, and if you like what you see and are interested in making some as well, let me know and I`ll put you in touch with him.
However…having said that, let me point out…. the mass of calcite crystals with some chalcopyrite sprinkled in, pictured above center stage, is no longer available because its now part of my collection.
Here are a few I purchased from him….