Pyrite on Dolomite

Item Description

The remote Nanisivik Iron Mine is above the Arctic Circle on Baffin Island and is one of the most remote and inhospitable mining locations on earth. The mine closed in 2002 and is famous for unusual pseudomorphs. The sculptural mounded matrix is entirely gray dolomite rhombs richly peppered with sparkly, brassy pyrite crystals, that have pseudomorphed marcasite crystals. Some of the rhombs have a light brown oxide coating. The rhombs reach 3.6 cm on the diagonal. One small calcite rhomb is also noted. A fine and classic Nanisvik combination piece and displays very well from either direction.