Pyrite octahedrons (RARE - classic locale) Dr. B. Phillips Coll.

Item Description

A RARE and dramatic large pyrite specimen from this old Illinois lead-zinc mine. The sculptural piece is composed of two diverging, sharply terminated pyrite octahedrons with bright brassy luster and striking dense stepped-growth faces. The crystals look twinned, but they are not. The front and sides are pristine and the partially contacted lower back is out-of-sight. The Galena District furnished most of the lead for the American Civil War 1861-65. The mine operated from 1854-1908 and intermittently through the 1940s (MINDAT). Mineral specimens are very uncommon from the Black Jack Mine and pyrites of this quality are VERY RARE. They are VERY RARE from the whole district. Outstanding pyrite from Dr. Barratt Phillips Collection.