Marcasite

specimen number:
2013465

location:
Linwood Mine, Buffalo, Scott Co., Iowa, USA

description:
A brilliant cluster of sharp golden marcasite crystals with little attached crystallized calcite. The marcasite crystals are twinned and in great condition. A superb miniature for the species for this locality.

The Linwood Mine, located in Scott County, Iowa, is a large limestone quarry that works Mississippian age carbonate rocks and has become well known among collectors for its mineral specimens. Quarrying has exposed numerous cavities and bedding plane openings where secondary minerals have formed from circulating fluids. Among the most notable is marcasite, which occurs as well crystallized specimens often forming sharp, radiating groups, cockscomb aggregates, and distinct tabular crystals with a bright metallic luster. These marcasite crystals developed under low temperature conditions in the sedimentary environment, where iron sulfide precipitated from mineral rich solutions.

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