PYRITE after PYRRHOTITE. Santa Eulalia Dist., Mun., de Aquiles Serdan, Chihuahua, Mexico. ...

Description

PYRITE after PYRRHOTITE
Santa Eulalia Dist., Mun., de Aquiles Serdan, Chihuahua, Mexico

The Mexican mining camp of Santa Eulalia has produced many fine specimens over the years. Both the "West Camp" and the "East Camp" have Pyrrhotite as part of their ore. Where there is enough room, say, in a fissure, the Pyrrhotite can form freestanding crystals. A change in the fluid chemistry in the ore body can result in Pyrrhotite altering to a chemically similar material like Pyrite, while still retaining the overall form of the original Pyrrhotite. Here, portions of the Pyrrhotite have dissolved away, leaving a partially hollow 'cast' of the original, 2.87 inches (7.3 cm) across. Associated with the Pyrite cast are numerous needles of Quartz and a bit of black Sphalerite all in excellent condition.
Overall measurements: 4.5 x 3 x 3 inches (11.4 x 7.6 x 7.6 cm). Offered at no reserve.

Provenance: Western Minerals [Hoppel Catalog # D1989]


[Scale: 1 inch, with mark at 1 cm]

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