Stellerite and Pyrite, on Calcite

Item Description

The classic old mining locality of Rudny has two well-known mines within its borders: the Sarbai Deposit and the Sokolovskoe Iron Mine, and either one could conceivably have produced this fine, small-cabinet piece of zeolite species unusually associated with pyrite. A sinuous layer of lustrous, clear-to-white Calcite crystals comprises the first mineral layer, and it covers the country-rock matrix. These crystals are complex, range up to 1.4 cm long, and they fluoresce a classic orange. Covering much of the Calcite are numerous sprays of well-formed, prismatic, 3-5 mm Stellerite crystals. These are a rich, golden-honey color, which may indicate they are from the Rudny Mine where we have seen similar colored material, although in tight clusters and not such singles. The Sokolovskoe mine, on the other hand, has produced metallics. So this piece, which has features of both locations seemingly, is unusual. For good measure, two cm-size, complex Pyrite crystals with a good, satiny luster add to the interest and beauty of the piece. The quality of these three minerals really raises the aesthetic level of this excellent combination specimen. This was likely found in the early to mid 1990s when such material came abundantly to the European markets.