Pyrite (natural skeletal / etched crystal)

Item Description

The classic Pyrites from King County are often found in fine quality striated cubes and pyritohedra and typically associated with Quartz. Recently a friend of ours discovered some really unusual yet attractive "etched" / skeletal crystals of Pyrite with no matrix or associations at the Purple Hope #4 Claim (about 30 miles east of Seattle). These crystals were found as is - complete loose "floaters" in the pocket - and have not been altered in any way, other than washing the dirt off. I have to say of the many thousands of pieces of Pyrite we've seen, nothing like this has really come our way before. Our friend said that this locality is the only one to produce Pyrites like this anywhere in King County. The debate rages as to how they formed. Are they 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, or something else entirely different. This beautiful small cabinet example has brilliant metallic golden faces on every side, and even shows some basic cubic growth lines in the midst of 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. Priced at $600 in the inventory.