Pyrite from Ambasaguas, Spain – Cubic and Pyritohedral Forms on Matrix

This large Pyrite specimen from Ambasaguas in La Rioja, Spain shows numerous clearly recognizable Pyrite crystals on a pale matrix. Particularly interesting is the variety of crystal forms: in addition to distinctly cubic crystals, more strongly pyritohedral forms and transitional forms between cube and pyritohedron are also present.

The specimen measures 16.5 × 13 × 5 cm, weighs 1,320 g, and is therefore classified as a Large cabinet specimen. The largest Pyrite crystals reach approximately 1.5 cm. The specimen was collected by the seller in Spain and is therefore a self-collected specimen from Ambasaguas.

Different crystal forms of Pyrite on one specimen

The brassy-yellow to golden Pyrite crystals occur individually and in small groups on the pale matrix. This keeps many of the crystals clearly separated and makes their different morphologies particularly easy to observe.

Several crystals show a predominantly cubic form with characteristically striated crystal faces. Other crystals display clearly developed pyritohedral faces, while additional examples show combinations of both crystal forms.

This combination makes the specimen especially interesting mineralogically: several typical crystal forms of Pyrite from Ambasaguas can be compared directly on a single matrix specimen.

Pyrite from the classic locality Ambasaguas in La Rioja

Ambasaguas in La Rioja is a classic Spanish locality for well-developed Pyrite crystals. Characteristic specimens include lustrous brassy-yellow crystals showing cubic and pyritohedral forms as well as distinctly striated crystal faces.

This large cabinet specimen displays these forms particularly well. Numerous crystals up to approximately 1.5 cm are distributed across the large pale matrix, creating a specimen that is both decorative and mineralogically interesting.

An additional provenance feature is that the specimen was self-collected in Spain, providing direct documentation of its origin.