Is It Peacock Pyrite?

mamabear · Feb 20, 2014

I thought it was because of the different colored cubes, but researchin it, it doesn't have the correct formation. It is cubic & some of it is orbicular. I've never found anything this color before.

Eu_citzen · Feb 20, 2014

Never heard of peacock pyrite. Yours looks like a pyrite coated with something. Do I see some flourite in there?

mamabear · Feb 20, 2014

I'm really not sure Eu. I have been scouring my books trying to id it. This area is the lead belt of the country. lots of hematite, pyrite, lead, & copper, etc. The cubes look to be metallic on calcite. We do have fluorite too. Actually there was a piece I couldn't retrieve. Didn't want to risk damaging it. Am going back to "dig" with my mallet when the weather allows.

Eu_citzen · Feb 21, 2014

Hematite could explain the colour of the coating.

mamabear · Mar 2, 2014

It's actually not a coating. It is all the way through. I am still trying to ID it. Would be happy to send a piece to you if it would help put a name to it.

G.O.Eye · Mar 8, 2014

I agree it does look hematitic but that's kinda strange it could be a mixture of hematite an pyrite, oh Eu citzen here's that peacock pyrite I found in a river channel.

Eu_citzen · Mar 9, 2014

mamabear said:
It's actually not a coating. It is all the way through. I am still trying to ID it. Would be happy to send a piece to you if it would help put a name to it.

Are you sure? Is one of the crystals broken as in that you can see the interior? Have you done a streak test?
I have a similar specimen around here somewhere that I cleaned off somewhat. Let me find a picture later today.

G.O.Eye · Mar 9, 2014

Hey Mamabear, research Vanadinite, the crystal structure of that specimen of the larger crystals you have look pretty similar, the host rock has similarities also although I know most host rocks vary.

Eu_citzen · Mar 9, 2014

Her crystals look like cubes, vanadinite doesn't form cubic crystals.

StoneWhisper · Mar 11, 2014

I want to say it's calcite.. but with a hint of some sort of rust deposit. Even resembles garnet is some images.. a good cleaning and in the display case is where those should go.