A remarkable specimen of natural crystallography and geometry, showing a perfect rectangular pyrite crystal perched in its natural matrix. While cubic pyrite crystals are well known and indeed account for almost all specimens, in this instance for reasons of mineral science and crystal formation, elongated rectangles are present that are rarely seen. The crystal is razor sharp, pristine, almost as if it was machined rather than grown through natural geological processes. This is from the private collection of former mine owner Pedro Ansareno, of La Rioja, Spain. He inherited the mine from his own father who discovered it in the 1950s as an ore reserve but decided the crystals were so beautiful, that he needed to preserve them for the world. He then developed a careful specimen mining company and crystal selling business to share them with the world, instead of stripping the deposit for quick ore value. They built a private collection over decades as they worked this property for specimens. This specimen has been with a collector since 2015. With a custom milled lucite display base.
18 x 13 x 10 cm (7 x 5.1 x 3.9in.) and 2505 grams

Ex Pedro Ansorena collection
Acquired from the above by present owner