This Specimen has been sold.
5.4" Pyritohedral Pyrite Cluster - Peru
This is a large cluster of well defined pyrite crystals from Peru. It's 5.5" wide and weighs just under 3 lbs. Large specimens, with great luster and large crystals like this one are getting hard to find, as the mines in Peru have shut down the collection of pyrite by miners in recent years. An excellent display piece.
About Pyrite
Pyrite, or iron pyrite, is best known as “Fool’s Gold” thanks to its bright metallic luster and pale brass-yellow color, which can easily be mistaken for real gold in poor lighting. With the chemical formula FeS₂, pyrite is the most abundant sulfide mineral on Earth and forms in an impressive range of geological environments.
One of pyrite’s defining features is its remarkable diversity of crystal habits—over 20 documented forms—making it one of the most morphologically varied minerals known. It commonly occurs as sharp cubes, octahedra, and pyritohedra, but also forms pentagonal dodecahedra, penetration twins, striated combinations, and complex modified forms prized by collectors. It can develop as massive veins, nodules, botryoidal growths, and fine druzy coatings that shimmer brilliantly under light. Whether glittering in tiny clusters or displayed as perfectly geometric crystals, pyrite showcases an extraordinary range of natural architecture and visual appeal.
Pyrite, or iron pyrite, is best known as “Fool’s Gold” thanks to its bright metallic luster and pale brass-yellow color, which can easily be mistaken for real gold in poor lighting. With the chemical formula FeS₂, pyrite is the most abundant sulfide mineral on Earth and forms in an impressive range of geological environments.
One of pyrite’s defining features is its remarkable diversity of crystal habits—over 20 documented forms—making it one of the most morphologically varied minerals known. It commonly occurs as sharp cubes, octahedra, and pyritohedra, but also forms pentagonal dodecahedra, penetration twins, striated combinations, and complex modified forms prized by collectors. It can develop as massive veins, nodules, botryoidal growths, and fine druzy coatings that shimmer brilliantly under light. Whether glittering in tiny clusters or displayed as perfectly geometric crystals, pyrite showcases an extraordinary range of natural architecture and visual appeal.
SPECIES
Pyrite
LOCATION
Macaranda Mine, Peru
SIZE
Cluster 5.5" wide, 3.4" deep, 3 lbs
CATEGORY
SUB CATEGORY
ITEM
#31032
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