| 10454: Marcasite replacing Pyrrhotite with
Gypsum, Sphalerite and Quartz - $24 Naica, Saucillo Municipality, Chihuahua, Mexico Small cabinet - 6.2 x 5.1 x 3.3 cm 119 grams Specimen status: Available Send an email with specimen number to order Numerous, thin plates of pyrrhotite to
about 1.6 cm which have been overgrown with/replaced by
marcasite (or maybe pyrite), accented with colorless
gypsum. Sphalerite (as cleavages in the matrix) and quartz
(as sparse, small points) are also present. Marcasite has
a (well deserved) reputation as a mineral with fickle
stability, often a victim of 'pyrite rot' resulting in
crumbling and foul odors. However, I have possessed this
specimen since 2009 with no evidence of rot. Based on
Mindat photos, pyrrhotite is rare and marcasite not
reported at Naica. These minerals (including pyrrhotite
replacement specimens) are more common from the Santa Eulalia Mining District, so
the locality listed here (and on a previous dealer label)
may in fact be Santa Eulalia and not Naica.
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