| Pyrite Suns (Pyrite Dollars) |
| SpiritRock Shop |
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| These Pyrite Suns are from Sparta, Illinois. Pure Pyrite crystallization with no matrix, featuring radiating golden crystals that sparkle in the light. These are also known as Pyrite Dollars and/or Sun Dollars. Collected in a coal mine hundreds of feet below the earth's surface, these suns formed over 300 million years ago! The Fanned Crystal Structure is due to compressed growth between sheets of anthracite coal shale. At one time these were mistakenly thought to be fossilized sand dollars or lily pads. These are located by gently splitting the layers of shale and then must be cleaned by a labor intensive process which produces such wonderful treasures! Pyrite Suns used to be plentiful but as time passed, the coal mines in Randolph County shut down one by one until it has become extremely difficult to obtain quality specimens either in matrix or removed individuals. Miners haul these delicate specimens out in their lunch boxes, hoping to preserve these beautiful fossils from getting destroyed. Some of the matrix specimens have been sealed or stabilized and the pyrite sun is loose and can be removed and replaced. Other specimens have not been stabilized or sealed and the pyrite sun is still affixed to the shale and cannot be removed. Of course it is possible that the suns have been removed, cleaned and glued back on the matrix. In any case, the value of these specimens has continued to rise each day as these become very rare finds. There are also "iridescent" suns on the market. The coloring of these is caused by formation in high heat conditions. |
| This is a Natural PYRITE SUN in ANTHRACITE COAL SHALE MATRIX from Sparta, Illinois This specimen Matrix is 7" long x 6-1/2" wide x 1" thick. The pyrite sun is 2-3/4" diameter and the total Specimen weighs 1 lbs 5 oz. |
| Pyrite Sun from Sparta, Illinois This is a beautiful specimen of a pyrite sun that is highly iridescent - a neon turquoise blue, copper colored, yellow, and more. These specimens come out of the coal mines in southern Illinois, near Sparta. They are believed to be a pyrite replacement of a fossil. Miners haul these delicate specimens out in their lunch boxes, hoping to preserve these beautiful fossils from getting destroyed. This is a great specimen that shows excellent formation and coloration and would make a nice addition to any mineral or fossil collection. This specimen measures 3.9 x 3 x 0.3"(99 x 77 x 8mm) and weighs 0.3lb (140g). |
| Item # PYRS01110962 Iridescent Pyrite Sun from Sparta Illinois $55.00 |
| Item #PYRS 081199501 Pyrite Sun on Shale Matrix from Sparta, Illinois $169.00 |
| Item # PYR031190801 7.57 lb Pyrite Sun on Matrix from Illinois $235.00 |
| Pyrite Sun on Matrix This is a pyrite sun on a large shale matrix that formed about 310-350 million years ago in the Mississippian formation in a small area known as Randolph County, Illinois. Pyrite suns form between tightly spaced layers of shale, in coal mines. The pyrite was forced to grow in a laterally compressed, radiating manner, instead of a more normal cube or Pyritohedral shape that pyrite is more commonly known for. This unique pyrite specimen has been cleaned and the shale slate matrix has been stabilized. (There is one section on the top where the shale has split and broken away showing a non stabilized lighter color with less shine). Chisel marks are evident in the shale next to the sun where another sun was removed and larger chisel marks om the back from specimen removal This total specimen (pyrite sun on matrix) measures approximately 12 x 10.1 x 1.9" (31 x 25.5 x 4.8cm) and weighs 7.57 lbs (3430g) The pyrite sun measures approximately 3.6 x 3.3 inches (9.2 x 8.5cm) |
| Pyrite Sun from Sparta, Illinois This is a beautiful specimen of a pyrite sun that is lightly iridescent - a neon turquoise blue, copper colored, yellow, and more. These specimens come out of the coal mines in southern Illinois, near Sparta. They are believed to be a pyrite replacement of a fossil. Miners haul these delicate specimens out in their lunch boxes, hoping to preserve these beautiful fossils from getting destroyed. This is a great specimen that shows excellent formation and coloration and would make a nice addition to any mineral or fossil collection. This specimen measures 3.2" (8.1cm) Diameter by 0.28" thick (7.3mm ) and weighs 0.26lb (118g). |
| Item # PYRS03115851 Iridescent Pyrite Sun from Sparta Illinois |
| PYRITE SUN in ANTHRACITE COAL SHALE MATRIX |
| This is a Natural Two PYRITE SUNS in ANTHRACITE COAL SHALE MATRIX from Sparta, Illinois This specimen Matrix is 10" wide x 7-7/8" wide x 1-1/4" thick. The pyrite suns are 2-1/8" and 1-1/8" diameter and the total Specimen weighs 3 lbs 2 oz. |
| Item #PYRS 081199531 Two Pyrite Suns on Shale Matrix from Sparta, Illinois $229.00 |
| Pyrite Sun from Sparta, Illinois Sparkles in natural light! Angled to show patterns on the specimen. This piece measures 3.7 to 3.7" (9 to 9.4cm) Diameter with a thickness up to 0.32" (8.3mm). This specimen weighs 5.28oz (149g) |
| Item # PS08110301 3.5 to 3.7" Pyrite Sun from Sparta Illinois $24.00 |
| Pyrite Sun from Sparta, Illinois Sparkles in natural light! Angled to show patterns on the specimen. This piece measures 3.7 to 3.8" (9 to 9.6cm) Diameter with a thickness up to 0.28" (7.2mm). This specimen weighs 5.18oz (147g) |
| Item # PS08111301 3.5 to 3.8" Pyrite Sun from Sparta Illinois $24.00 |
| Pyrite Sun from Sparta, Illinois Sparkles in natural light! Angled to show patterns on the specimen. This piece measures 3.9 to 4.0" (9.9 to 10.2cm) Diameter with a thickness up to 0.33" (8.5mm). This specimen weighs 7.32oz (207g) |
| Item # PS08112301 3.9 to 4.0" Pyrite Sun from Sparta Illinois $27.00 |
| Pyrite Sun from Sparta, Illinois Sparkles in natural light! Angled to show patterns on the specimen. This piece measures 3.8 to 3.9" (9.7 to 9.9cm) Diameter with a thickness up to 0.29" (7.4mm). This specimen weighs 6.04oz (171g) |
| Item # PS08113301 3.8 to 3.9" Pyrite Sun from Sparta Illinois $25.00 |
| Pyrite Sun from Sparta, Illinois Sparkles in natural light! Angled to show patterns on the specimen. This piece measures 4.2" (10.7cm) Diameter with a thickness up to 0.31" (8mm). This specimen weighs 8.02oz (227g) |
| Item # PS08114301 4.2" Pyrite Sun from Sparta Illinois $30.00 |
| Pyrite Sun from Sparta, Illinois Sparkles in natural light! Angled to show patterns on the specimen. This piece measures 3.8" to 4.2" (9.8 to 10.6cm) Diameter with a thickness up to 0.25" (6.54mm). This specimen weighs 5.58oz (157g) |
| Item # PS08115301 3.8 to 4.2" Pyrite Sun from Sparta Illinois $28.00 |
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| Pyrite Sun from Sparta, Illinois Sparkles in natural light! Angled to show patterns on the specimen. This piece measures 3.0" to 3.2" (7.7 to 8.2cm) Diameter with a thickness up to 0.25" (6.38mm). This specimen weighs 3.46oz (98g) |
| Item # PS08116301 3.0 to 3.2 Inch Pyrite Sun from Sparta Illinois $23.00 |
| Pyrite Sun from Sparta, Illinois Sparkles in natural light! Angled to show patterns on the specimen. This piece measures 3.1" to 3.3" (8 to 8.3cm) Diameter with a thickness up to 0.27" (7mm). This specimen weighs 4.24oz (120g) |
| Item # PS08117301 3.1 to 3.3 Inch Pyrite Sun from Sparta Illinois $23.00 |
| Pyrite Sun from Sparta, Illinois Sparkles in natural light! Angled to show patterns on the specimen. This piece measures 3.5" (8.9cm) Diameter with a thickness up to 0.27" (7mm). This specimen weighs 4.64oz (131g) |
| Item # PS08119201 3.5" Pyrite Sun from Sparta Illinois $26.00 |
| Pyrite Sun from Sparta, Illinois Sparkles in natural light! Angled to show patterns on the specimen. This piece measures 3.2" to 3.4" (8.2 to 8.6cm) Diameter with a thickness up to 0.29" (7.48mm). This specimen weighs 4.14oz (118g) |
| Item # PS08119301 3.2 to 3.4" Pyrite Sun from Sparta Illinois $25.00 |
| Pyrite Sun from Sparta, Illinois Sparkles in natural light! Angled to show patterns on the specimen. This piece measures 3.3" to 3.5" (8.3 to 8.9cm) Diameter with a thickness up to 0.29" (7.43mm). This specimen weighs 4.26oz (120.5g) |
| Item # PS08118301 3.3 to 3.5" Pyrite Sun from Sparta Illinois $24.00 |
| Pyrite Sun from Sparta, Illinois Sparkles in natural light! Angled to show patterns on the specimen. This piece measures 3.6" (9.1cm) Diameter with a thickness up to 0.33" (8.53mm). This specimen weighs 6.62oz (188g) |
| Item # PS08118201 3.6" Pyrite Sun from Sparta Illinois $27.00 |
| Pyrite Sun from Sparta, Illinois Sparkles in natural light! Angled to show patterns on the specimen. This piece measures 2.5" (6.3cm) Diameter with a thickness up to 0.24" (6.2mm). This specimen weighs 2.02oz (58g) |
| Item # PS08117201 2.5" Pyrite Sun from Sparta Illinois $17.00 |
| Pyrite Sun from Sparta, Illinois Sparkles in natural light! Angled to show patterns on the specimen. This piece measures 2.6" (6.6cm) Diameter with a thickness up to 0.29" (7.4mm). This specimen weighs 2.58oz (72g) |
| Item # PS08116201 2.6" Pyrite Sun from Sparta Illinois $17.50 |
| Pyrite Sun from Sparta, Illinois Sparkles in natural light! Angled to show patterns on the specimen. This piece measures 2.75" (7cm) Diameter with a thickness up to 0.28" (7.24mm). This specimen weighs 3.28oz (93g) |
| Item # PS08115201 2.75" Pyrite Sun from Sparta Illinois $20.00 |
| Pyrite Sun from Sparta, Illinois Sparkles in natural light! Angled to show patterns on the specimen. This piece measures 2.6" (6.6cm) Diameter with a thickness up to 0.32" (8.1mm). This specimen weighs 3.16oz (90g) |
| Item # PS08114201 2.6" Pyrite Sun from Sparta Illinois $19.00 |
| Pyrite Sun from Sparta, Illinois Sparkles in natural light! Angled to show patterns on the specimen. This piece measures 2.8" (7.1cm) Diameter with a thickness up to 0.31" (7.9mm). This specimen weighs 3.18oz (90g) |
| Item # PS08113201 2.8" Pyrite Sun from Sparta Illinois $21.00 |
Pyrite Suns listed above shine brightly in Daylight! |
| Notice to Our Customers We will be closed from May 18th through August 15th 2012 to relocate our business. Orders placed during this time will not be shipped until after August 15th. Purchases or Reservations will be honored in the date order they are received. 1st purchaser is served 1st. |