Marcasite

specimen number:
2062783

location:
near Temple, Bell Co., Texas, USA

description:
Sharp golden large crystals of marcasite to 4.0 cm in size nice on matrix. This is in good condition. Exceptionally large and fine crystals for the species. The specimen comes with a previous collection label from Ray DeMark. Collected by Mason Estes in 1989.

The geology of the Temple area in Bell County, Texas, features Cretaceous-era sedimentary strata, including chalk, marl, and limestone formations such as the Austin Chalk and surrounding units, where reducing marine environments facilitated the authigenic formation of iron sulfide mineralizations. Marcasite occurs locally as crystal clusters and nodules within these sedimentary layers, often associated with fossil preservation or concretions. There has been no commercial mining history for the mineral here; instead, collecting is strictly an avocational pursuit undertaken by hobbyists and rockhounds exploring local outcrops, road cuts, and construction sites, who must carefully preserve their specimens due to the natural chemical instability of the mineral over time.

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