Minerals from Peru

Peru is one of the most important countries in the world for mineral specimens, particularly for collectors of sulphides and secondary copper minerals.

The country has a long mining history, and many of its mines produce excellent specimens alongside industrial ore. The Huanzala mine is especially well known – it has yielded vast numbers of sharp, lustrous pyrite crystals, some of which are among the finest in the world. Galena, sphalerite, and quartz are also found there in good quality.

Another key locality is the Pasto Bueno district, which produces superb rhodochrosite crystals, often associated with quartz and fluorite. While not as well known as Argentinian rhodochrosite, the Peruvian material is typically more affordable and can be very attractive.

The Cerro de Pasco and Casapalca mining areas have yielded fine examples of enargite, tetrahedrite, and orpiment, sometimes in combination with barite and pyrite. There is also good-quality wulfenite and vanadinite from smaller workings in the southern part of the country.

Fluorite from Peru is generally green or purple, often cubic, and sometimes associated with quartz or pyrite. It has become more common on the market over the past two decades, and large quantities of material have been exported for both lapidary and specimen use.

Locality data is usually fairly good, as many of the mines have been professionally operated. However, older specimens may just be labelled “Andes” or “Peru” without specifics.

It is worth quickly highlighting the opal from Peru too, although it is a mineraloid rather than a mineral. The Acarí district produces huge amounts of pink and blue ‘Andean’ Opal, which is popular online due to its bright colours.

Peru