Pyrite (natural skeletal / etched crystal)

Item Description

Most people are familiar with the classic Pyrites from King County which are often found in fine quality striated cubes and pyritohedra often associated with Quartz. A friend of ours recently made a small discovery at the Purple Hope #4 Claim (about 30 miles east of Seattle) that produced some really unusual yet attractive "etched" / skeletal crystals of Pyrite with no matrix or associations. These crystals were found as is - complete loose "floaters" - and have not been altered in any way. We've never seen anything quite like them from this area, and we were told this locality is the only one to produce them in King County. Nobody can truly determine if they formed as the result of a solitary solution etching that only partially etched the crystals, or if the Pyrites possibly transitioned into Marcasite that later dissolved away, leaving the Pyrite behind. This beautiful toenail example has brilliant metallic golden faces on every side, and even shows some basic cubic growth which are mixed among with the graceful etching patterns. This is unique material, and if you collect Pyrites or sulfides, don't pass up the chance to get your hands on something that is incredibly rare to find in such a common species.