4.4" Lazurite, Pyrite and Muscovite in Marble Matrix - Afghanistan

Lazurite is a vibrant blue mineral of the tectosilicates group with the chemical formula Na6Ca2Al6Si6O24S2. It is the blue component in lapis lazuli and is most often found in massive forms, though in some cases it does form individual crystals. Afghanistan is well known for several deposits that produce phenomenal lazurite crystals in a marble matrix. These specimens are highly sought after by both amateur and expert mineral collectors.

Muscovite is a phyllosilicate mineral of aluminium and potassium. It has a highly perfect basal cleavage, yielding remarkably thin laminæ that are often highly elastic. It can be colorless or tinted through grays, violet, or red, and can be transparent or translucent. Fuchsite and mariposite are green varieties of muscovite, owing their green color to chromium impurities. Alurgite is a manganese-bearing, purple to reddish variety of muscovite.

About Pyrite

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.