Museum Quality Pyrite Cube Cluster In Matrix - Spain

This is a museum quality cluster of pyrite cubes in matrix from the Victoria Mine in Navajun, Spain. These natural formations are pretty incredible and no where else in the world produces them like this mine.

There are 10 natural pyrite cubes, the largest being 1.55" wide. The entire cluster is 6.5" tall, 4.7" Incredible luster on the cubes and the piece sits up nicely on it's own for display in many orientations.

Like all of these pieces from the mine, there is repair and stabalization work to the matrix, as the cubes typically come loose during collection. But the pyrite cubes are in their original positions in the rock and it is not a composite.

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 and near-perfect cubic formation, and sculptural appearance. It should be noted for collectors that because the rock is soft, the cubes very often come loose during collection. Care is taken during preparation to stabalize, repair and make sure everything is remounted in it's natural position. 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 stabalized. Care is taken during preparation to make sure things are remounted in their as found positions and none of the specimens we sell are composites.

The pyrite deposit of "Ampliación a Victoria" is located 3km 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 the discovery of the pyrite in 1965, and since then specimens from this locality have been sought out by collectors world wide. The largest crystal to-date was over 19cm and weighed 9.5kg.

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, however; 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
Largest Cube 1.55" wide, Cluster 6.5" tall, 4.7" wide
CATEGORY
ITEM
#50697