Flat: Natural, Pyrite Cube Clusters From Spain - 48 Pieces

 

This is a flat of 48 shiny, pyrite cube clusters from the famous Victoria Mine in Navajun, Spain. The clusters range from about 1" to 1.4" wide. The cubic formation is natural though many of these clusters have been repaired as the cubes often detach from each other during extraction from the rock. You will receive the exact flat pictured.

At the wholesale price, it is $5 a cluster and they can easily retail for several times that price.

At first glance some people assume that these pyrite cubes are man-made, but the amazing thing is that they are natural! Pyrite from this location is famous for its beautiful shine, near-perfect cubic formation, and sculptural appearance. Because the matrix rock is soft, the cubes often come loose during collection. Care is taken during preparation to stabilize, repair, and make sure everything is remounted in its natural position: no specimens are composites. This means that nearly all of the pyrite cubes still in the rock from this locality have been remounted, and most clusters of multiple cubes have been stabilized.

The "Ampliación a Victoria" pyrite deposit is located 3 kilometers northwest from Navajún town in the Alcarama mountain chain. The history of mining in the area goes back to Romans mining for silver. Modern galena mining led to discovery of the pyrite in 1965, and since then specimens from this locality have been sought out by collectors worldwide. The largest crystal found to date was over 19 centimeters and weighed 9.5 kilograms!

FeS2, otherwise known as pyrite or 'Fool's Gold', contains about 47 percent iron and 53 percent sulfur. It gets the name 'fool's gold' because of its brassy golden color. The name pyrite comes from the Greek word pur meaning "fire": in ancient times pyrite was struck against flint to create sparks and start fires.

SOLD
DETAILS
SPECIES
Pyrite
LOCATION
Victoria Mine, Navajun, Spain
SIZE
48 Pieces, Clusters 1 to 1.4" wide
CATEGORY
ITEM
#92640