Quiruvilca Mine, Santiago de Chuco Province, La Libertad Department, Peru
7.5 x 7.5 x 4.8 cm
Pryite is one of the common minerals available and is most likely responsible for children (and many adults) becoming interested is minerals. The shiny surfaces and the golden color of this iron based mineral are the basis for its common name of "fools gold." Pyrite is only mineral to have its name given to one of its unique crystal structures - Pyritohedron which it a pentagonal dodecahedron.
This Pyrite is, simply put, spectacular. Rather than the pyritohedron structure though, this specimen is a perfect octohedron with a secondary octohedron. And, although the crystal faces and edges show crystal growth striations, the surfaces are highly reflective putting this specimen in a class by itself.
Photo Credit: Joe Budd
