TUC17A-20
Calcite coated with Pyrite
Stari Trg Mine, Trepca, Kosovska Mitrovica, Kosovo
Miniature, 4.2 x 3.9 x 2.9 cm
SOLD
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.