| Pyrite (Iron Pyrite) "Fools Gold" |
| SpiritRock Shop |
Click on any photo to see a larger version
We are
Always
Happy to
Combine
Shipping,
Please
e-mail us
for
combined
shipping
totals
Always
Happy to
Combine
Shipping,
Please
e-mail us
for
combined
shipping
totals
 |
| Starburst Pyrite, Galena and Quartz Crystals Stunning array of clear acicular quartz crystal points in a star burst pattern adorned with striated and cubic pyrite on a matrix of galena and pyrite. This is a highly sought after specimen that is fast disappearing. This fine piece is from Brazil and was acquired a few years ago and is from our private collection. This specimen weighs 0.33 lb (152g) and measures @ 2.8 x 2.5 x 1.6 inches (71 x 64 x 41mm). |
| Pyritohedral Pyrite with Drusy Quartz with Pyrite inclusions from Brazil Very nice specimen of Pyritohedral pyrite covered partially with a drusy quartz layer that has fine pyrite inclusions giving a "pyrite sprinkled" look to the quartz. This piece weighs 0.28 lb (128g) and measures 2.4 x 1.4 x 1.1 inches (61 x 36 x 29mm). |
| Item # P11107001 "Starburst" Pyrite, Quartz Crystal and Galena from Brazil $69.00 |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| Pyrite Pyrite is the classic "Fool's Gold". There are other shiny brassy yellow minerals, but pyrite is by far the most common and the most often mistaken for gold. Whether it is the golden look or something else, pyrite is a favorite among rock collectors. It can have a beautiful luster and interesting crystals. It is so common in the earth's crust that it is found in almost every possible environment, hence it has a vast number of forms and varieties. Unlike gold, which is prized because of its color, brightness, workability, and rareness, Pyrite is not a metal, but rather, a sulfide made up of iron and sulfur. Pyrite is much harder and more brittle, and it tarnishes to a dark brown. Fool's Gold is very common, and this has led to many people thinking they had discovered real gold over the years. Pyrite forms when hydrogen sulfide combines with iron. These common elements often fuse and are carried by heated fluids to cracks in native rocks where pyrite is deposited. It is attractive, and many museums keep specimens of Pyrite for display or educational purposes. Bravoite is the name given to a nickel-rich iron sulfide. It is closely related to pyrite but contains up to 20% nickel. Some mineral books treat it as a variety of pyrite. Pyrite is a polymorph of Marcasite, which means that it has the same chemistry, FeS2, as Marcasite; but a different structure and therefore different symmetry and crystal shapes. Pyrite is difficult to distinguish from Marcasite when a lack of clear indicators exists. Common Shapes of Pyrite |
| This is a pyrite sun on a shale matrix; it formed about 310-350 million years ago in the Mississippian formation in a small area known as Randolph County, Illinois. Pyrite suns form between tightly spaced layers of shale, in coal mines. The pyrite was forced to grow in a laterally compressed, radiating manner, instead of a more normal cube or Pyritohedral shape that pyrite is more commonly known for. This unique pyrite specimen has been cleaned on both sides and the shale slate matrix has been stabilized. This specimen can be displayed with the Pyrite in place on the matrix or next to it. This total specimen (pyrite sun on matrix) measures approximately; 7 5" wide and 5.75” high and 1” thick and weighs 1.55 lbs (702g) The pyrite sun measures approximately; 3.4 x 3.1 x .3 inches (87 x 77 x 7mm) and weighs 4.5oz (128g) |
| Pyritohedral |
| Pyrite Sun |
| Sunflower |
| Cubic |
| Striated |
| Pyrite Sun from Sparta, Illinois. Pure Pyrite crystallization with no matrix featuring radiating golden crystals that sparkle in the light. These are also known as Pyrite Dollars and Sun Dollars. Collected in a coal mine hundreds of feet below the earth's surface, this sun formed over 300 million years ago! Fanned crystal structure is due to compressed growth between sheets of slate. |
| Item # P1107002 Pyritohedral Pyrite with Drusy Quartz with Pyrite inclusions from Brazil $45.00 |
| Item #PA1107005 Pyrite-replaced Ammonite with opalescent shell from Russia $29.00 |
Pyrite-replaced Ammonite with opalescent shell from Russia
The fossilization process has naturally replaced the original shell with stunning golden pyrite - a feature that is so
HIGHLY-prized.Ammonites are extinct members of the Cephalopod class. Modern members include nautilus, squid
and octopus. They first appeared during the Silurian Period (435 million to 410 million years ago) and were abundant
and widespread in the seas of the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods (175 million to 65 million years ago). Ammonites
are important index fossils—that is, they often link the rock layer in which they are found to specific geological time
periods.This specimen weighs 16g and measures 40 x 29 x 10mm (1.6 x 1.1 x 0.4in)
The fossilization process has naturally replaced the original shell with stunning golden pyrite - a feature that is so
HIGHLY-prized.Ammonites are extinct members of the Cephalopod class. Modern members include nautilus, squid
and octopus. They first appeared during the Silurian Period (435 million to 410 million years ago) and were abundant
and widespread in the seas of the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods (175 million to 65 million years ago). Ammonites
are important index fossils—that is, they often link the rock layer in which they are found to specific geological time
periods.This specimen weighs 16g and measures 40 x 29 x 10mm (1.6 x 1.1 x 0.4in)
| This is a pyrite sun on a shale matrix; it formed about 310-350 million years ago in the Mississippian formation in a small area known as Randolph County, Illinois. Pyrite suns form between tightly spaced layers of shale, in coal mines. The pyrite was forced to grow in a laterally compressed, radiating manner, instead of a more normal cube or Pyritohedral shape that pyrite is more commonly known for. This unique pyrite specimen has been cleaned on both sides and the shale slate matrix has been stabilized. This specimen can be displayed with the Pyrite in place on the matrix or next to it. This total specimen (pyrite sun on matrix) measures approximately; 7 5" wide and 5.75” high and 1” thick and weighs 1.42 lbs (644g) The pyrite sun measures approximately; 3.15 x 3.1 x .325 inches (79 x 77 x 8mm) and weighs 4.42oz (126g) |
| Item # P1008001 Pyrite Sun on Shale matrix from Randolph County, Illinois. $79.00 |
| Item # P1008002 Pyrite Sun on Shale matrix from Randolph County, Illinois. $75.00 |
| Sold This unique item is sold and on its way to Hopewell, New Jersey |