Siderite ps. after Pyrrhotite w/ Quartz, etc. (Wouter van Tichelen Coll.)

Item Description

Sparkly, tiny, golden-yellow siderite rhombs have pseudomorphed a very sculptural small cabinet cluster of tabular, pseudohexagonal pyrrhotite crystals from this well-known historic Pb-Zn Romanian mine. Modern mining began in 1973. The impressive, large, stout pseudo is 6.5 x 1.8 cm and the attractive secondary pseudo is 4.5 x 1.0 cm. One very interesting side features a hollow epimorph of siderite, where the interior mineral has been dissolved away, adding much character. The underlying matrix is quartz and sphalerite with a bit of bright golden chalcopyrite. The mine has also produced outstanding siderite casts after calcite crystals. Ex Wouter van Tichelen Pseudomorph Collection. Siderite pseudomorphs after pyrrhotite are uncommon and this is an exceptional example. Valued at $500.