Pyrite (excellent crystal) (ex Soregaroli Collection)

Item Description

The famous Chino Mine (Santa Rita Pit) dates back to 1910 and has been a source of attractive mineral specimens for many years. This locality is probably best known (in the modern era) for producing some of the most iconic and dramatic Spinel-law twinned Copper specimens ever found. This specimen to me is just as dramatic and important due to the fact that it's one of the single finest crystals of Pyrite I've seen from the locality. Typically, you'll find Pyrite crystals from this mine coated with Chalcocite (Ducktownite), and you can't see the actual Pyrite itself underneath. This piece however only has a tiny bit of Chalcocite, and it's on the base / underside of the specimen, so the main crystal is uncoated. The predominant textbook pyritohedron is notably sharp, well-formed and has a gentle soft golden matte luster on the surface. It is complete all around, save the base where it was attached to another Pyrite crystal and the edge of the pocket. There are a handful of tiny imperfections, but you really have to look closely to see them, you wouldn't notice them when viewing the piece in a display case. Simply put, if you collect Pyrites, New Mexican minerals or specifically material from the Chino Mine, this is a must have specimen, because you'd be hard pressed to get your hands on another one of this size and quality in today's market. Ex Art Soregaroli Collection.