Pyrite (classic material)

Item Description

Here we have an attractive Pyrite from the famed Huanzala Mine in Peru that dates back to the 1970s era of mining. The Pyrites from this mine are among the best crystallized examples of this well-known sulfide in the world. Peruvian Pyrite specimens for decades have consistently been large, fine quality and showy, with excellent crystallization. This wonderful miniature display specimen features a group of sharp, lustrous, light golden color metallic crystals with one predominant crystal sitting atop the piece measuring 1.1 cm. The main crystal shows a combination of primarily pyritohedral and dodecahedral faces. There is a small "rub" on the side of the main crystal, but overall, the piece is eye-catching and good quality.
This piece comes from the personal collection of Colorado mining legend, Dave Bergman, the maternal grandfather of Brian Kosnar. Dave is now retired from mining, but he worked for decades in various mines underground in Colorado, as a miner, mechanic, engineer, shift boss and foreman. His biggest claim to fame is that he was the foreman and the primary person in charge of mining and specimen recovery at the Sweet Home Mine in Colorado in the 1970s alongside his son-in-law, Rich Kosnar. This project what was the FIRST ever operation for specimen recovery at this historic locality. A full-page photograph of Dave can be seen mining underground at the Sweet Home in on page 58 of Peter Bancroft's book "Gem and Crystal Treasures".