Pyrite altering to Hematite (rare locality specimen)

Item Description

This is the only specimen of Pyrite we've ever had to offer from the Epes area in Alabama, and comes with a hand-written label stating that it was found in the Tombigbee River wash by Luther Hunt in the early 2000s. The piece features modified cuboctahedral crystals of Pyrite mesauring up to about 5 mm across, which have a dark reddish-black hue on the surface (thought to be due to alteration to Hematite{?}) which are sitting atop semi-spherical iron nodule matrix. The Pyrites are well-formed and show almost "sunken" faces when you view them up close. A really cool locality specimen, and it's the kind of specialized locality piece that you can only find in these diverse extensive collections like this.
From the collection of John Whatley, a well-known Georgia collector (1939-2022). John had many interests and hobbies, and favorite hobby was collecting rocks and minerals. He was a member of the Augusta and Aiken, SC Gem and Mineral Society. He also enjoyed collecting arrowheads and he co-authored the book, An Overview of Georgia Projectile Points and Select Cutting Tools. He was a member of the Georgia, South Carolina, and Alabama Archaeology Societies and he also enjoyed volunteering in the Archaeology Department at SRS.
You can read more about John at: https://www.thomaspoteet.com/obituaries/john-whatley