Pyrite ps. Calcite stalactites with Calcite

Item Description

RARE, highly unusual and sculptural elongated pyrite crystals with calcite combination from the well-known Tieshan Fe-Cu deposit of central Hubei province, which has dozens of mines and was the source of copper for the Chinese Bronze Age. Sparkly, golden, microcrystalline pyrite has either grown on something previously (calcite perhaps) or actually replaced aragonite or calcite stalactites (pseudomorph) in this striking jackstraw cluster of the elongated pyrite stalactites that reach 3.0 cm long. Some of the crystals but not all are pristine, with the broken ends on others showing the complete pyrite replacement of the calcite (or aragonite). Sections of calcite, including a 1.2 cm scalenohedron, are visible at the base. A unique style pyrite pseudomorph and calcite combination from the locale. 2023 find, of which we bought much of the pocket.