Pyrite after Pyrrhotite, Sphalerite, Galena & Calcite (RARE) Dr. B. Phillips Coll.

Item Description

Pyrrhotite is RARE from any of the famous mines and mining districts of Peru. This is a VERY RARE and impressive mounded pseudomorph combination from the Casapalca Mine, according to the Dr. Barratt Phillips label. Striking pseudos of brilliant pyrite crystals after stacked clusters of sharp hexagonal pyrrhotite plates are dramatically set on the mounded matrix. The impressive large pseudo is 3.0 cm across. The hefty sulfide mounded matrix consists of spherical aggregates of lustrous black sphalerite and gray galena crystals. The scattered rounded calcite rhombs with satin luster, to 1.6 cm, are a super and contrasting accessory. MINDAT does not list pyrrhotite for Casapalca. The only mine in Lima Department that MINDAT lists all the species present on this piece is the very obscure Raul-Condestable Mine. The calcite does resemble some Casapalca material and has bright hot-pink fluorescence. Very rare, perhaps a UNIQUE combination pseudomorph from Casapalca and Peru. A MUST for the pseudomorph or locality collector!