Description
A fantastic, highly lustrous golden pyrite specimen from the prolific Huanzala mine in Peru. Smaller pyrite crystals are attached to and protrude from the main, partially developed octahedral pyrite crystal, adding depth and visual interest. Additional noteworthy features include the pitted surface texture of the pyrite and the presence of minor attached sphalerite. The attentive collector might also spot minute patches of a white mineral phase nestled here and there on the specimen. These have been reported by some miners and dealers as crandallite. That said, it is important to note that this mineral may not be primary in origin, as it can form during specimen cleaning (for example, when phosphoric acid is used), rather than being part of the original, naturally occurring paragenesis. See: mindat.org/locentry-1252883.html
LOCATION
Peru, Huanzala
SIZE
3.7 cm
WEIGHT
63 g