Pyrite (unusual crystal and locale)

Item Description

Pyrite is known to form in multiple crystal habits throughout the world with some complex and rather unique oddities specific to certain locations. This modified octahedral Pyrite from Bargers Quarry in Lexington, Virginia is definitely one of those uncommon crystal habit oddities. While the quarry has been operating for nearly a century there are remarkably few of these exquisite examples around. The single metallic brassy octahedral crystal has cubic terminations showing both squares and rectangles up to 5 mm. The triangular faces are highly complex with a very striking and distinctive stepped-growth habit along the edges that form an external frame for the internal microcrystalline faces. It reminds one of an almost "hoppered" look. A remarkable 360 degree Pyrite from an uncommon location. A really cool piece from a singular and unique collection of aesthetic Virginia miniatures put together over decades by dealer Keith Williams, who recently retired.