Calcite coated with Pyrite

Unknown Owner

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Just a beautiful specimen of pyrite microcrystals, so thick they look painted on, atop a symmetrical calcite! Atop the pyrite layer is another generation of disc-shaped calcites, grown afterwards, and contrasting to the rhombohedral calcite at the base of the piece. This is from a small pocket in an early 2016 find, at this classic locality, and yet it looks like nothing else we have ever seen from there, historically. I bought up all I could of this material at Munich in 2016, where it was dispersed already. This is just such a perfect miniature, that to my eye it transcends being common species or "reasonably priced," and is a better and more sophisticated piece than a low price might otherwise indicate. The color and luster throw the camera off - it is more sparkly and pure golden, to the human eye.