3.2" Gleaming, Cubic Pyrite & Sphalerite Cluster - Peru

This is a nice specimen of sphalerite and quartz on cubic pyrite from the the Huanzala Mine mine in Peru. The preparation on this piece is exceptional and the pyrite really shines. The specimen is 3.2" long, 1.9" wide and 1.0" tall with the largest pyrite cube being .9" wide.

Pyrite (or 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. Pyrite is the most common of the sulfide minerals with the chemical formula FeS2. Pyrite crystals occur in many shapes and habits. Smaller (druzy) crystal aggregates may give off beautiful glistening effects, and larger crystals may be perfectly formed, including fascinating cubes, penetration twins, and other interesting crystal forms.

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 & Quartz
LOCATION
Huanzala Mine, Bolognesi, Peru
SIZE
3.2" long, 1.9" wide
CATEGORY
SUB CATEGORY
ITEM
#46095