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This Specimen has been sold.
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4.2" Tall, Natural Pyrite Cube In Rock - Navajun, Spain
This is a shiny, natural, cubic pyrite crystal clust still partially embedded in the rock from the famous Victoria Mine near Navajun, Spain. It has a wonderful, golden metallic luster and is formed naturally. There are four cubes in the cluster the largest of which is 1.25" wide. Including the rock the entire cluster measures 4.2" tall, not including the rock 2.7" tall.
The rock has been painstakingly removed from around the cubes using mechanical tools and the pieces sits up nicely on a flat surface. The cubes have not been repaired or remounted, though there is some stabilization to the matrix around them.
About Pyrite From Navajún, Spain
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, near-perfect cubic formation, and sculptural appearance. Because the matrix rock is soft, the cubes often come loose during collection. Care is taken during preparation to stabilize, repair, and make sure everything is remounted in its natural position: no specimens are composites. 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 stabilized.
The "Ampliación a Victoria" pyrite deposit is located 3 kilometers 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 discovery of the pyrite in 1965, and since then specimens from this locality have been sought out by collectors worldwide. The largest crystal found to date was over 19 centimeters and weighed 9.5 kilograms!
A view of part of the Ampliación a Victoria pyrite mine.
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. 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.
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, near-perfect cubic formation, and sculptural appearance. Because the matrix rock is soft, the cubes often come loose during collection. Care is taken during preparation to stabilize, repair, and make sure everything is remounted in its natural position: no specimens are composites. 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 stabilized.
The "Ampliación a Victoria" pyrite deposit is located 3 kilometers 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 discovery of the pyrite in 1965, and since then specimens from this locality have been sought out by collectors worldwide. The largest crystal found to date was over 19 centimeters and weighed 9.5 kilograms!
A view of part of the Ampliación a Victoria pyrite mine.
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. 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.
SPECIES
Pyrite
LOCATION
Victoria Mine, Navajun, Spain
SIZE
Cluster 4.2" tall, Largest cube 1.25" wide,
CATEGORY
SUB CATEGORY
ITEM
#63214
