FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[Forrestblyth]

This field trip from back in my more able bodied days makes me smile. Primarily famous for fossilific material it is also interesting to the mineral collector looking for pyrite specimens.

Good sized solid pyrite nodules are numerous but do not apparently last long in a collection due to pyrite rot.

However many fossil specimens have a secondary pyrite coating that preserves well in the collection.

The location is stunning but not for the feint hearted. It involves a 300 meter rope decent or braving even dodgier steps to get to the foreshore.

Pyrite nodules are everywhere especially after storms.

Warning stand at least 300 meters from cliff face Danger of falling rock constant, Visit at your perril LOL

All my solid specimens rotted away. Its best to find secondary deposits as they last.

If any one knows how to slow pyrite rot please share.

Samples fresh from the shore look like dipped in glod but tarnish to this after 12 months

[Bob Morgan]

Similar pyritized fossils are found at Alden, New York and most have the same problem. Some are actually stable. They are rare and highly prized.
My friend keeps his on his toaster oven in the kitchen so that they get a jolt of heat fairly often. That seems to work.
Apparently there a number of pyrite diseases. maybe your pyrites will respond the same.

[James Catmur]