Fluorapatite, Arsenopyrite, Pyrite, Marcasite, Muscovite, Sphalerite
Panasqueira Mine
Castelo Branco, Portugal
12.17 cm x 10.34 cm x 4.8 cm, 732 grams
Where do I begin to describe this amazing cabinet size multi mineral specimen from this famous mine.
This is a very complex specimen with just so much to look at and admire.
This specimen hosts at least 6 different minerals, that are not only well defined, but each is well represented.
The specimen consists of Arsenopyrite, with Pyrite or Chalcopyrite,
along with crystals of Fluorapatite, large complex crystals of sphalerite, books of muscovite and lots of Marcasite.
The Marcasite crystals are sparsely sprinkled around the other minerals on the front, but they completely cover the back side of the specimen.
Even though the Marcasite crystals are colorless, there are so many on top of each other that it makes them look white.
All the different forms of Pyrite looks golden in color, but in some lighting and in some of the photos it can take on a greenish hue.
There is one spot on the upper left side that might be where a pyrite crystal came off,
or it could just be the way the specimen formed, but wanted to point it out.
The specimens stands very well on it's own, but would look amazing with a custom stand.
