{"id":876,"date":"2026-02-02T23:42:10","date_gmt":"2026-02-02T23:42:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawtothecorecrystals.co.uk\/shop\/?post_type=product&p=876"},"modified":"2026-02-02T23:42:11","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T23:42:11","slug":"stunning-pyrite-quartz-sphalerite","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/www.rawtothecorecrystals.co.uk\/shop\/product\/stunning-pyrite-quartz-sphalerite\/","title":{"rendered":"Stunning Pyrite – quartz – sphalerite"},"content":{"rendered":"

This specimen formed in low- to medium-temperature hydrothermal veins<\/strong>, where silica-saturated fluids<\/strong> transported and deposited zinc, iron, and sulfur over time. Variations in temperature, pressure, and fluid composition allowed the sequential crystallization of pyrite, quartz, and sphalerite. Quartz often acted as a host matrix<\/strong>, while pyrite and sphalerite crystallized within cavities and along vein margins.<\/p>\n

Geographical Provenance<\/h4>\n

Specimens like this are typically found in classic sulfide-rich mining regions<\/strong>, including:<\/p>\n

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    Spain (Asturias, Santander):<\/strong> Noted for pyrite\u2013sphalerite\u2013quartz specimens with well-formed cubic pyrite crystals<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Peru (Huanzala, Cerro de Pasco):<\/strong> High-quality hydrothermal veins producing sharp metallic pyrite and transparent quartz<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    USA (Tri-State District, Missouri-Kansas-Oklahoma):<\/strong> Historic zinc and lead mining areas, producing sphalerite intergrown with pyrite and quartz<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Germany (Harz Mountains, Saxony):<\/strong> Traditional European mining regions for sulfide mineral specimens<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Educational Significance<\/h4>\n
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      Illustrates hydrothermal mineralization processes<\/strong>, including sequential deposition, crystal habit development, and trace-element incorporation.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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      Demonstrates sulfide-quartz associations<\/strong> typical of Zn-Pb-Fe ore deposits.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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      Provides insight into economic geology<\/strong>, as pyrite, sphalerite, and quartz often co-occur in zinc, iron, and sulfur-bearing ore bodies.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      This specimen features pyrite (FeS\u2082), quartz (SiO\u2082), and sphalerite (ZnS)<\/strong> in a natural, intergrown formation, representing a classic hydrothermal ore mineral association<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

      Mineral Composition and Properties<\/h4>\n
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      1. \n

        Pyrite (Iron Sulfide, FeS\u2082)<\/strong><\/p>\n

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          Crystal system:<\/strong> Isometric (cubic)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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          Hardness:<\/strong> 6\u20136.5 (Mohs)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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          Luster:<\/strong> Metallic, brassy yellow<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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          Occurrence:<\/strong> Forms well-defined cubic or pyritohedral crystals; often associated with hydrothermal veins and sulfide-rich deposits<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n

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          Quartz (Silicon Dioxide, SiO\u2082)<\/strong><\/p>\n

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            Crystal system:<\/strong> Trigonal<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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            Hardness:<\/strong> 7 (Mohs)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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            Luster:<\/strong> Vitreous<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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            Occurrence:<\/strong> Fills cavities, intergrown with sulfide minerals; provides a clear matrix and contrasting backdrop for metallic crystals<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n

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            Sphalerite (Zinc Sulfide, ZnS)<\/strong><\/p>\n

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            • \n

              Crystal system:<\/strong> Isometric (cubic)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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              Hardness:<\/strong> 3.5\u20134 (Mohs)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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              Luster:<\/strong> Resinous to adamantine<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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              Color:<\/strong> Yellow to brown or nearly black, depending on iron content<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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              Occurrence:<\/strong> Often intergrown with pyrite and galena in hydrothermal veins<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":877,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"product_brand":[],"product_cat":[50,23,65],"product_tag":[51],"class_list":["post-876","product","type-product","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","product_cat-pyrite","product_cat-quartz","product_cat-sphalerite","product_tag-pyrite","first","instock","taxable","shipping-taxable","purchasable","product-type-simple"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawtothecorecrystals.co.uk\/shop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product\/876","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawtothecorecrystals.co.uk\/shop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawtothecorecrystals.co.uk\/shop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/product"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawtothecorecrystals.co.uk\/shop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=876"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawtothecorecrystals.co.uk\/shop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/877"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawtothecorecrystals.co.uk\/shop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=876"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"product_brand","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawtothecorecrystals.co.uk\/shop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_brand?post=876"},{"taxonomy":"product_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawtothecorecrystals.co.uk\/shop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_cat?post=876"},{"taxonomy":"product_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawtothecorecrystals.co.uk\/shop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_tag?post=876"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}