Pyrite on Pyrite ps. Baculites (fossil)

Item Description

This is a true American classic, and we have seen only a handful of specimens of this quality over many years. Some of the most interesting mineral specimens are those that prove the point while looking beautiful, that a fossil is a mineral too! Here we have one of the most dramatic examples of pyrite from a rare old pyrite location, that also is a world class fossil specimen. Shell of an elongated 9-cm-long creature served as the host here for pyrite crystals that formed in beautiful sparkling clusters around the open tips of the dead animal, like metallic balloons at the top. The fossil also is perfectly preserved with gorgeous metallic golden patina and a high luster. These are totally unique fossils, the best pyritized examples of this style that we know of certainly. The largest pyrite cluster is 3.5 cm tall. This is a particular fine specimen in terms of the crystals, color, and display aesthetics when mounted on a custom base. They formed from simple chemical processes over time as with several other famous finds of mineralized fossils, given the right conditions in the ground as the soft mud turns to soft stone and then hard stone that entombed the pyrite within: decaying organic matter (the Baculite) provided the Sulfur necessary to react with iron in the environment (likely water rich in iron trickling down when the rock was still porous) and caused iron sulfides (Pyrite) to precipitate and force their way out into the stone as they grew, followed by the whole thing being preserved in rock. All of the pyrite found here is actually associated with the same process, even if you do not see a fossil with it (it would have nucleated the pyrite cluster, in any case). These particular specimens represent some of the best of the best of the best, found over 40 years of painstaking searching and filling trucks with ugly black rock to see what is inside, collected by amateur paleontologist and mineral preparator Bill Hawes. They have been expertly worked out of the encasing stone to show the beauty within and make for fabulous mineral/fossil specimens that are simply unique to this location. Please note, due to the physical process of removing the rock carefully around the pyrite, that the specimens are repaired and stabilized (all such pieces are). However, it is entirely natural and original. Valued $6000-plus.