View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
supertxango
Joined: 15 Jul 2012
Posts: 135
Location: Madrid
|
Posted: May 15, 2013 12:10 Post subject: Pyrite specimens from Ampliación a Victoria Mine, Navajún, La Rioja, Spain |
|
|
"Ampliación a Victoria" pyrite mine-quarry is based in Sierra de Alcarama mounting range and approximately four kilometers near Navajún town. Specimens from this quarry are well-known and appreciated internationally, being this locality an important reference in the Spanish mineralogy.
Pyrites from this quarry are found disseminated between clay levels that belongs to the Cretacic period (Weald). With pyrite also can be found gypsum, chlorite and manganese oxide specimens, but none of them with a real value for collectors.
Most of the pyrite crystals are cubes, rarely do they appear in other forms and in a few cases with bevelled edges. It´s possible to find floater crystals and in matrix, made from single cubic crystals or grouped in two or more elements creating nice sculptures. Crystal faces are smooth or with the typical pyrite striation. In 2011 were found crystals with an unusual flattened morphology which is quite uncommon for this locality.
Description: |
Pyrite Ampliación a Victoria Mine, Navajún, La Rioja, Spain 3 x 3 x 3 cm. Single cubic pyrite crystal typical from this location. |
|
Viewed: |
34836 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Pyrite Ampliación a Victoria Mine, Navajún, La Rioja, Spain 6 x 5 x 5 cm. Two pyrite crystals grouped in one single specimen. Both of the presents striated faces. |
|
Viewed: |
34878 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Pyrite Ampliación a Victoria Mine, Navajún, La Rioja, Spain 2 x 2 x 2 cm. Diagram of three grouped pyrite crystals. |
|
Viewed: |
34829 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Pyrite Ampliación a Victoria Mine, Navajún, La Rioja, Spain 9 x 9 x 7 cm. Three grouped pyrite crystals in matrix. It has a very brilliant and smooth faces similar to a mirror. |
|
Viewed: |
34868 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Pyrite Ampliación a Victoria Mine, Navajún, La Rioja, Spain 9 x 9 x 7 cm. Detailed of previous specimen. Three grouped pyrite crystals in matrix. It has a very brilliant and smooth faces similar to a mirror. Crystals size 2 cm. |
|
Viewed: |
34850 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Pyrite Ampliación a Victoria Mine, Navajún, La Rioja, Spain 4 x 2 x 2 cm. Diagram showing cubic crystal faces and interconnections among them. |
|
Viewed: |
34829 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Pyrite Ampliación a Victoria Mine, Navajún, La Rioja, Spain 10 x 8 x 8 cm. Two grouped crystals in matrix. It´s a curious specimen with a small elongated crystal inside of a bigger cubic one. |
|
Viewed: |
34869 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Pyrite Ampliación a Victoria Mine, Navajún, La Rioja, Spain 10 x 8 x 8 cm. Detailed of previous specimen. Two grouped crystals in matrix. It´s a curious specimen with a small elongated crystal inside of a bigger cubic one. Biggest crystal size: 3 cm. |
|
Viewed: |
34859 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Pyrite Ampliación a Victoria Mine, Navajún, La Rioja, Spain 10 x 8 x 8 cm. Detailed of previous specimen. Diagram to define the smallest singular crystal. Biggest crystal size: 3 cm. |
|
Viewed: |
34830 Time(s) |
|
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
supertxango
Joined: 15 Jul 2012
Posts: 135
Location: Madrid
|
Posted: May 15, 2013 13:11 Post subject: Re: Pyrite specimens from Ampliación a Victoria Mine, Navajún, La Rioja, Spain |
|
|
Two more unusual pyrite crystals
Description: |
Pyrite Ampliación a Victoria Mine, Navajún, La Rioja, Spain 5.4 × 1.8 × 6.1 cm A pyrite crystal in matrix with an unusual flattened morphology.
Photo: Reference Specimens |
|
Viewed: |
34806 Time(s) |
|
Description: |
Pyrite Ampliación a Victoria Mine, Navajún, La Rioja, Spain 4.7 × 4 × 3.5 cm A pyrite crystal in matrix with an unusual flattened morphology.
Photo: Reference Specimens |
|
Viewed: |
34824 Time(s) |
|
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Don Lum
Joined: 03 Sep 2012
Posts: 2856
Location: Arkansas
|
Posted: May 15, 2013 13:34 Post subject: Re: Pyrite specimens from Ampliación a Victoria Mine, Navajún, La Rioja, Spain |
|
|
Juan,
Those are fascinating specimens. Thanks for sharing them.
Don
_________________ hogwild |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Roger Warin
Joined: 23 Jan 2013
Posts: 1176
|
Posted: May 15, 2013 16:11 Post subject: Re: Pyrite specimens from Ampliación a Victoria Mine, Navajún, La Rioja, Spain |
|
|
Fabulous pictures of amazing pyrite specimens.
Thank you.
Roger.
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
supertxango
Joined: 15 Jul 2012
Posts: 135
Location: Madrid
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Mark Ost
Joined: 18 Mar 2013
Posts: 516
Location: Virginia Beach
|
Posted: May 15, 2013 19:37 Post subject: Re: Pyrite specimens from Ampliación a Victoria Mine, Navajún, La Rioja, Spain |
|
|
The la Rioja pyrites are fine. I have several, but as Jordi knows; my favorite Rioja is a 2007 Marqués de Riscal Grand reserve! I'd send a picture but I can't find the camera after examining the bottle!
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
supertxango
Joined: 15 Jul 2012
Posts: 135
Location: Madrid
|
Posted: May 16, 2013 00:49 Post subject: Re: Pyrite specimens from Ampliación a Victoria Mine, Navajún, La Rioja, Spain |
|
|
Good selection Mark! For sure, La Rioja is also also good known for this other kind of specimens. But be careful if you examine more than two of them at the same time ;-)
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
supertxango
Joined: 15 Jul 2012
Posts: 135
Location: Madrid
|
Posted: May 16, 2013 14:09 Post subject: Re: Pyrite specimens from Ampliación a Victoria Mine, Navajún, La Rioja, Spain |
|
|
Some other mineral specimens from Navajun at FMF Galleries.
Navajun at Galería FMF
Navajun at FMF Galery
Regards,
Juan H
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Carles Millan
Site Admin
Joined: 05 May 2007
Posts: 1471
Location: Catalonia
|
Posted: May 18, 2013 16:01 Post subject: Re: Pyrite specimens from Ampliación a Victoria Mine, Navajún, La Rioja, Spain |
|
|
Another typical pyrite from Navajún. More shots of the same specimen taken from other positions are available here.
Description: |
Four undamaged cubic pyrite crystals with mirror-like faces intergrown on a matrix of marlstone. Overall size: 95 mm x 78 mm. Main crystal: 31 mm on edge. Weight: 512 g. |
|
Viewed: |
34300 Time(s) |
|
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Mark Ost
Joined: 18 Mar 2013
Posts: 516
Location: Virginia Beach
|
Posted: May 18, 2013 18:26 Post subject: Re: Pyrite specimens from Ampliación a Victoria Mine, Navajún, La Rioja, Spain |
|
|
These are so perfect it reminds me of the opening scene in 2001 A Space Odyssey
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
supertxango
Joined: 15 Jul 2012
Posts: 135
Location: Madrid
|
Posted: May 19, 2013 13:56 Post subject: Re: Pyrite specimens from Ampliación a Victoria Mine, Navajún, La Rioja, Spain |
|
|
Hi Carles,
Really a nice specimen from Navajún. Amazing mirror-like faces crystals intergrown.
Regards,
Juan H
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Carles Millan
Site Admin
Joined: 05 May 2007
Posts: 1471
Location: Catalonia
|
Posted: May 19, 2013 15:30 Post subject: Re: Pyrite specimens from Ampliación a Victoria Mine, Navajún, La Rioja, Spain |
|
|
To Mark Ost and Juan H (supertxango):
Many thanks for your kind words. I'm very glad you like it.
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
David
Joined: 01 Nov 2011
Posts: 101
Location: Bucharest
|
Posted: May 19, 2013 16:07 Post subject: Re: Pyrite specimens from Ampliación a Victoria Mine, Navajún, La Rioja, Spain |
|
|
The pyrites from Navajun are amazing, many people have asked me if they aren't man-made.
This is one piece I like for the perfect cubic crystal and the mirror effect. In fact you can actually see the sky reflecting on the crystal (it was a rather cloudy day unfortunately)
But Spanish mines are not the only ones to produce perfect cubes of pyrite.
Description: |
pyrite Victoria Mine, Navajún, La Rioja, Spain 2 cm (main crystal)
|
|
Viewed: |
34130 Time(s) |
|
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
David
Joined: 01 Nov 2011
Posts: 101
Location: Bucharest
|
Posted: May 19, 2013 16:40 Post subject: Re: Pyrite specimens from Ampliación a Victoria Mine, Navajún, La Rioja, Spain |
|
|
I will show you a couple of photos of Romanian cubic pyrites. Unlike the pyrites of Navajun, you can notice the quartz matrix.
Description: |
pyrite and quartz Tibles Mountains Romania about 8 cm (2 cm main crystals)
|
|
Viewed: |
34122 Time(s) |
|
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
David
Joined: 01 Nov 2011
Posts: 101
Location: Bucharest
|
Posted: May 19, 2013 16:49 Post subject: Re: Pyrite specimens from Ampliación a Victoria Mine, Navajún, La Rioja, Spain |
|
|
Both pictures of Romanian pyrites come from the Museum of Mineralogy in Baia Mare, Maramures.
Description: |
pyrite and quartz Tibles Mountains Romania about 20 cm (main crystals about 2.5 - 3 cm)
|
|
Viewed: |
34323 Time(s) |
|
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
David
Joined: 01 Nov 2011
Posts: 101
Location: Bucharest
|
Posted: May 19, 2013 17:12 Post subject: Re: Pyrite specimens from Ampliación a Victoria Mine, Navajún, La Rioja, Spain |
|
|
Unlike the previous two pictures, this one comes from Bucium Romania. Note that the pyrite cubes have many striations.
Although pyrite itself is common for Romanian mines, large cubic pyrite are rare, to be found in just a couple of locations mentioned here.
This piece is a miniature in my collection.
Description: |
Pyrite and quartz Bucium, Romania 5 cm (about 1 cm main crystal) |
|
Viewed: |
34019 Time(s) |
|
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Tobi
Site Admin
Joined: 07 Apr 2009
Posts: 4106
Location: Germany
|
Posted: May 20, 2013 03:27 Post subject: Re: Pyrite specimens from Ampliación a Victoria Mine, Navajún, La Rioja, Spain |
|
|
Another small specimen:
Description: |
Pyrite Ampliación a Victoria Mine, Navajún, La Rioja, Spain Specimen height 4 cm |
|
Viewed: |
33922 Time(s) |
|
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Carles Millan
Site Admin
Joined: 05 May 2007
Posts: 1471
Location: Catalonia
|
Posted: May 20, 2013 04:03 Post subject: Re: Pyrite specimens from Ampliación a Victoria Mine, Navajún, La Rioja, Spain |
|
|
And another one...
Original post and more details available here.
Description: |
Pyrite Ampliación a Victoria mine, Sierra de Alcarama, Navajún, Rioja, Spain 160 mm x 130 mm x 85 mm. Longest crystal edge: 43 mm Weight: 1274 g Repaired |
|
Viewed: |
33957 Time(s) |
|
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Tobi
Site Admin
Joined: 07 Apr 2009
Posts: 4106
Location: Germany
|
Posted: May 20, 2013 05:10 Post subject: Re: Pyrite specimens from Ampliación a Victoria Mine, Navajún, La Rioja, Spain |
|
|
Spectacular one, Carles!
... But it looks somehow fragile ;-)
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Carles Millan
Site Admin
Joined: 05 May 2007
Posts: 1471
Location: Catalonia
|
Posted: May 20, 2013 09:06 Post subject: Re: Pyrite specimens from Ampliación a Victoria Mine, Navajún, La Rioja, Spain |
|
|
Tobi wrote: | it looks somehow fragile ;-) |
Yes, if you drop it from a fifth floor it will probably get some damage.
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
|