1.6" Shiny, Cubic Pyrite Crystal Cluster with Sphalerite - Peru

This is beautiful cluster of gleaming cubic pyrite crystals. It comes from the Huanzala Mine in Peru and the entire specimen measures 1.6" wide. There are small, dark grey sphalerite crystals scattered throughout this specimen.

The mineral pyrite, also known as iron pyrite, is commonly referred to as Fool's Gold because its metallic luster and pale brass-yellow hue give it a superficial resemblance to gold. In the old mining days, pyrite was sometimes mistaken for gold.

It is the most common of the sulfide minerals with the chemical formula FeS2. Pyrite crystals occur in many shapes and habits, including cubes of all sizes, penetration twin cubes, pyritohedral clusters and as small druzy crystals that can exhibit a beautiful glistening effect.

Sphalerite is a part of the sulfide group and typically exhibits a grey/black appearance due to high concentrations of impurities. In its purest state, sphalerite's chemical composition is ZnS, and can display a gemmy transparent light tan/yellow color. This is one of the few minerals that can form crystals ranging anywhere between gemmy and transparent to opaque and metallic-like. Opaque or cloudy sphalerite tends to be most abundant since iron easily replaces zinc in the process of formation.
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DETAILS
SPECIES
Pyrite & Sphalerite
LOCATION
Huanzala Mine, Bolognesi, Peru
SIZE
1.6" wide
CATEGORY
SUB CATEGORY
ITEM
#167692