Goethite ps. after Marcasite & Pyrite (Whitmore Coll.)

Item Description

This striking, fascinating rare stellate goethite pseudomorph from the White Desert has replaced both marcasite and far less common pyrite cubes. Two pseudomorphed compound pyrite cubes, to 8 mm, are dramatically set on marcasite "rays". Lustrous, nicely burnished brown goethite has replaced the pyrite and marcasite. The few broken "rays" can be minimized by the correct display view. These were originally formed as marcasite and pyrite crystals on the sea bottom and were then pseudomorphed, retaining their fantastic form. They were dug in the remote western desert of southwest Egypt by Parisian dealer Alain Carion and his son in the mid-1990s. No more have been found. Ex Robert Whitmore Collection. Every turn presents a different perspective to this surreal piece!