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Huanzala Mine normally produces cuboid pyrite crystals. Pyritohedron-shaped crystals like those on this miniature specimen are rare. When mixed with quartz, it’s normally quartz sitting on top of pyrite. This specimen, however, has a rare 50/50 quartz/pyrite mix. This, plus the three-dimensional shape of the cluster, adds to the excellent aesthetic value. A truly unusual piece, with a three- and four-star rating in all our criteria.
If you want to learn more about how we appraise our crystals:
Huanzala is a lead-zinc mine with a 1,200 tons/day capacity, operated by Cia. Minera Santa Luisa and owned by Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co. (Japan). The mine is located in the Peruvian Department of Ancash at an altitude of about 4000 meters. The mine is famous all around the world for excellent pyrite and fluorite specimens. According to well-known mineral specimen dealer Rock Currier, the Huanzala mine probably holds the world record with regard to total tonnage of mineral specimens produced by a single mine. According to Mardani Fine Minerals, “Huanzala has been praised as one of the greatest pyrite localities of all time.”
The mineral pyrite, or iron pyrite, is an iron sulfide. Pyrite’s metallic luster and pale brass-yellow hue give it a superficial resemblance to gold, hence the well-known nickname of fool’s gold. The name pyrite is derived from the Greek πυρίτης (pyritēs), “of fire” or “in fire”. In ancient Roman times, this name was applied to several types of stone that would create sparks when struck against steel.
Huanzala Pyrite comes in a great variety of crystal shapes, with cubic, pyritohedron, and octahedron shapes being the main shapes. There are more than 25 intermediary shapes known.