Great, all-around unique pyrite from Cavnic, Romania

A pyrite from Cavnic, Romania. An unusual all-around growth geometry makes the piece readable from every direction.

Pyrite (FeS₂) is an iron sulfide with a characteristic metallic golden luster. The typical habit variants are cubes, pentagonal dodecahedra, or octahedra. Romanian deposits in Cavnic (Maramureș) yield pyrite with special crystallography.

The Cavnic deposit is a historic ore region that has been mined since the Middle Ages. Collector pyrite from Cavnic is considered gemologically high-quality material. The all-around structure visible here documents a rare growth geometry without a distinct front and back side.

Pyrite is hard (Mohs 6.5) and durable, but can oxidize under unfavorable storage conditions. Dry, dark storage is the proper conservation method.

A Romanian collector's item in a handy gallery format, with documented Cavnic provenance and unusual growth geometry.