Pyrite on Hematite (Ref: 6102)

Pyrite specimens from the Tuscan Island of Elba are among the most famous European specimens: real classic! No surprise here, as mining activities at the island´s iron mines date back to Etruscan times and exceptional specimens have come out. Just look at this extremely aesthetic specimen with three excellent metallic golden yellow Pyrite dodecahedrons (´pyritohedrons´} which sit extremely well exposed and rich in contrast on bladed black hematite. They reach a diameter of 1.8 cm, have extremely sharp edges and are perfect all around. This is excellent material from the collection of Dr. Manfred Schönfelder, Leverkusen. The German collector went the extra mile at the end of the 1980s, when finds were hardly possible in the mines: He went diving for old pieces at the loading dock in the Rio Marina harbor basin.