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Arsenopyrite
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The ArkenstoneFeatured
The Yaogangxian Mine, perhaps the greatest mine in China, has continued to impress us with the wide variety and beauty of specimens found there over the years. This truly amazing, iridescent Arsenopyrite is but one example of why this locality is so notable. While not normally the most popular mineral species among fluorites and bournonite from this mine, the YGX arsenopyrites also reach world class quality levels, rarely. This particular pocket is from around 2014-15 or so, and we were able to purchase much of it in China when they came out. However, this got “lost” and turned up a few years later; and since then it has been in his personal China minerals collection as a side by side comparison and complement to a much larger specimen (which is bigger, but with smaller crystals - this is actually the more refined, by far, of the two). On one side, there are several unusually engorged-looking, thick crystals coming out at the viewer. These lustrous and brassy (yes, so brassy it looks like Chalcopyrite), doubly-terminated Arsenopyrites reach an impressive 6.5 cm in length. On the other side is a more traditional iridescent color palette and crystals size. There is moderate blue and red iridescence on the other side to accompany the extensive and dramatic, brassy-gold patina that dominates the major display face. The reverse side of the piece shows the typical metallic, tin-white color of this iron arsenic sulfide, and with a more limited iridescence that is heavily into the blue tones with a softer gold accent color. Overall, a significant example of this important metallic species with a remarkably aesthetic look with a classic preferential effects between one side and the other. Really, the colors are stunning and interesting both. For sheer size and unusual coloration, this is a SUPERB, iridescent Arsenopyrite cluster from the Yaogangxian Mine in China; and that is why I (Rob) kept it in my own collection for years before having the discipline to cut down and release some of my hoarded treasures from over 80 trips to China since 2005.
Product details
SpeciesArsenopyrite
SizeSmall Cabinet
Dimensions9.6 x 6.3 x 5.9 cm
Listed on07/10/2026
LocalityChina, Hunan, Yaogangxian Mine
SKUSM26-052
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Mineral guide
Learn about Arsenopyrite
steel-gray, mirror-bright prismatic crystals; prized for sculptural form and heft, with top localities (Panasqueira, Dalnegorsk, Yaogangxian) in…
Regional guide
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