Pyrrhotite

specimen number:
2063038

location:
El Potosi Mine, Santa Eulalia, Chihuahua, Mexico

description:
An excellent example for this Mexican classic, golden lustrous pseudo-hexagonal crystals of pyrrhotite measuring to 4.5 cm in size on matrix. Minor calcite and galena are present. This is aesthetic for the species and locality, in great condition. The specimen comes with a previous label from the collection of Ray DeMark. His label notes that the piece was acquired in 1980 and the piece comes from level 11, West Camp.

The El Potosi Mine, located in the historic Santa Eulalia District of Chihuahua, Mexico, is hosted within an extensive sequence of Cretaceous limestones that were intruded by Tertiary igneous rocks. This geological setting facilitated the formation of massive replacement ore bodies, including large mantos and vertical chimneys rich in lead, zinc, and silver. Discovered during the Spanish colonial era, the district underwent intensive large-scale commercial mining from the late 19th century onward. Beyond its industrial production, the mine became globally famous among mineral collectors for yielding world-class, pristine specimens of secondary minerals such as smithsonite, hemimorphite, gypsum, pyrrhotite and creedite from its deep oxidized zones.

Questions about this specimen?
Send an email or call us: 314-341-1811.