Pyrite twin Spain

This pyrite twin comes from the famous locality of Navajún, Spain, world-renowned for its perfectly geometric cubic crystals. This specimen, dated 2003, displays remarkable aesthetics with two cubes joined in a well-defined twin, set on a transparent base that highlights their metallic reflections.

Pyrite, also known as “fool’s gold,” is an iron sulfide (FeS₂). It is easily recognized by its golden metallic luster and sharp cubic shapes, resulting from its isometric crystal system. In this specimen, the phenomenon of twinning corresponds to the combination of two crystals sharing part of their structure along a specific orientation, creating an unusual and highly desirable piece.

The Navajún mine, located in the La Rioja region, is a world reference for the quality of its pyrite crystals. Since the 1960s, it has produced spectacular specimens, some of which are displayed in major museums worldwide.

Specimen dimensions: width 47 mm x height 47 mm

Weight (with base): 138 g

🟢 Mineralogical Information

Name: Pyrite

Chemical formula: FeS₂

Family: Sulfides

Crystal system: Cubic (isometric)

Habit: Perfect cubes, frequent twins

Luster: Metallic, golden

Color: Bright brass-yellow

Hardness (Mohs): 6 – 6.5

Density: 4.9 – 5.2 g/cm³