Minerals - Chalcopyrite - English Italian Hand

"INTRO NOTE: I chose "Peacock Ore" for my next subject, but decided to switch to the mineral's actual name, Chalcopyrite. I did not remember having already covered this same mineral specimen under the name Bornite. (Bornite art: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=320422117983244&set=a.315884388437017.98221.100000463744595&type=3&theater), Bornite & Chalcopyrite are very close but technically not exactly the same thing. Bornite = Cu5FeS4, Chalcopyrite = CuFeS2, Pyrite = FeS2 [no copper]. The two are easily confused and often sold to collectors as the same thing. Being 90% finished with my art before realizing the duplication, I decided to include this new art just for the calligraphy.

Chalcopyrite (folk name Peacock Ore) is a copper iron sulfide and derives its name from the Greek: chalkos (copper) + pyrites (on fire). A prime source of copper, Chalcopyrite is one of the oldest ores humans have worked with leading to the Copper Age. The iridescent purple is the result of sulfide oxidation which occurs when a specimen is exposed to air.

The calligraphy is my own take on late-English Italian Hand. The whole composition is fairly standard, excepting the majuscule C which, tho' one of the most common shape-variants, is a bit more ornate than what was common in the 1700s. Also, I chose to use an older style variant of "p" which I have always liked, with a head-stem loop and the rather uncommon ligature with the "o.""

~2016, Don Marsh~
©2016 Don Marsh