Pyrite with Sphalerite, Crandallite

specimen number:
8911001

location:
Huanzala Mine, Huallanca, Bolognesi, Ancash, Peru

description:
A bright cluster of lustrous mirror bright golden sharp octahedral pyrite crystals, the largest measuring to 1.3 cm in size. No matrix, this is crystallized mostly all around. Black sphalerite and small white balls of crystallized crandallite present throughout. Some damage present as seen.

The Huanzala Mine, located in the Huallanca district of the Bolognesi Province in Ancash, Peru, has a long history that began with initial discovery and small-scale working in 1721, followed by long periods of abandonment. Modern industrial underground mining officially commenced in 1968 after intensive exploration and development by Compania Minera Santa Luisa S.A. Geologically, the deposit is a major polymetallic skarn and replacement-style orebody hosted within steeply dipping Lower Cretaceous carbonate sequences, formed through hydrothermal activity and intrusions related to Miocene porphyry systems. Mineralogically, the mine is world-renowned among collectors for yielding some of the finest cabinet-grade metallic and gangue specimens ever discovered, particularly brilliant mirror-bright pyrite crystals, vibrant fluorite, sphalerite, and quartz, making it one of the most prolific specimen-producing mines globally.

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