Limonite pseudomorph after Pyrite(?) (ex Kay Robertson Collection)

Item Description

Please note: The label with this piece states that it's from "aus dem Letten Mine "Apfel"" which translates into "from the appel pallets mine", which is more than likely not an actual locality, so we're leaving it at Bensberg. Additionally, the label also states that this piece is Limonite replacing Pyrite, but I think it may be Limonite replacing something like Garnet as the habit of the crystal is clearly trapezohedral, which is exceptionally rare in Pyrite. As a matter of fact, I can't say for certain if I've seen an actual trapezohedral Pyrite in my life. There seems to be a bit of schist around the exterior edges, so it may very well be that this was a Garnet crystal (possibly something like Almandine) that was replaced (or possibly coated by) the brown colored Limonite. Ex Kay Robertson Collection (#5991). Kay is a prominent California collector, who specialized in European classics (see the article in the March-April, 2007 Mineralogical Record and the 50+ page article in the German Magazine "Mineralien Welt" November-December 2017).