Pyrrhotite with Magnetite and Siderite - image 1

Pyrrhotite with Magnetite and Siderite - image 2

Pyrrhotite with Magnetite and Siderite - image 3

Pyrrhotite with Magnetite and Siderite

Unknown Owner

Help improve this recordNo owner is registered for this specimen yet. If it's yours or you know more about it, you can add the owner, provenance, publications and other details.

SUPERB and classic, this Pyrrhotite is from an old locale in Romania. The main crystal is complete all around and gracefully elongated, and it has an excellent, antique bronze patina. It rises a full 5 cm above the rest of the piece. The habit of this crystal is outstanding. The base is coated with highly lustrous, partial Magnetites, which in turn are dotted with partial Siderite crystals. One of the best, if not THE best, Pyrrhotites I have seen from this venerable mining region. I cannot recall better to my eyes, though of course I have not seen everything and perhaps there is more on the European market. That being said, I HAVE seen 1000s of pieces of modern finds from these mines and nothing like this has turned up in the modern era (1990s-on). Current location is : Chiuzbaia (Kisbanya), Baia Mare (Nagybanya), Maramureș Co., Romania. Kay's label dates the acquisition to when it was "Kisbanya, Transylvania, Hungary"! Her note says "very old specimen" and we can assume this places it in the 1800's vintage.