PAS05 Pyrite
Huanzala Mine, Huallanca District, Dos de Mayo Prov., Peru
8.0x 4.5x 6.0 cm
$650
An excellent and razor sharp example of octahedrap pyrite from Huanzala. Looking very closely, I can see only two small nicks, neither on a main crystal. The overall arrangement, sharpness and balance of this piece are truly exceptional.
The locals call octahedral crystals these "triangulos" ("cocos" are the dodecahedrons, "chispas" are the groups of small crystals you see in gift shops, and "cubos" are self explanatory.) This was not from the new pocket, but rather held back from earlier finds-- the octahedral crystals are extremely rare.
This was one piece from a medium sized lot that I purchased. As the person who sold them to me put it-- the group this belonged to was selected from "many tons" of specimens, and judging from what I usually see, I am inclined to believe him. It is never difficult to buy pyrite in Peru, but finding good pieces is another story entirely-- there are usually only a couple per trip, though this time I got lucky.
