Pyrite with Calcite and Fluorite ex. Halpern Collection

Item Description

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Outstanding combination specimen, featuring huge complex crystals of Pyrite, from the famous Santa Eulalia Mining District. The complex Pyrite , just by themselves, give you all the geometric beauty you can ask for with a stepped octohedral or stretched octohedral shape that is more subtle and easily seen in person. The primary side has intensely fine, stepped-growth on all the faces, a rich, brassy color, and intergrown crystals that reach up to around 3 cm. The metallic luster is very good, and the edges are both beveled and stepped, which looks great to the eye. On the reverse side, the Pyrite is actually more lustrous and with a beautiful, pure copper color. Associated are small Calcites, purple Fluorite and a dusting of micro Galena. I love the aesthetics and intricacy of this piece. Better in person! I would have thought this was a Panasquiera piece, but for the serrated shapes and the older label from dealer gene Schlepp, known for his Mexico sourcing. valued $900-1200. NOTE aded to auction: Peter Megaw has corrected this description - it was originally posted as a Chalcopyrite due to the color and unusual xl shape - but it is Pyrite, with a color caused by surface oxidation, from a unique find on the 13th level of the Mine noted here.