{"product_id":"pyrite-cluster-a-natural-peru","title":"Pyrite cluster (A) — natural, Peru","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eAn interlocked cluster of brass-yellow pyrite crystals, with a darkened area through the centre.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003ePyrite and oxygen have an ongoing relationship. The mineral is iron sulfide, and iron sulfide is not stable at the surface of a planet with this much oxygen in the air. Left alone in damp conditions it slowly breaks down, releasing sulphur that combines with moisture to make sulphuric acid, which then attacks what is left. Collectors call the advanced form pyrite decay, and it is why a hundred-year-old museum drawer can contain a label and a pile of powder.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eNone of which is happening quickly here, and darkening on a pyrite surface is usually just a thin oxidation film rather than the start of anything. But it is the reason the care instruction on this listing is specific rather than generic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eKeep it somewhere dry. Pyrite reacts slowly with oxygen and moisture, and the reaction produces sulphuric acid, which is what damages a neglected specimen over time. Do not seal or varnish it. That traps moisture in rather than keeping it out, and makes the problem worse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMineral:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003ePyrite (iron sulfide, FeS₂)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCrystal system:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eCubic\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin: \u003c\/strong\u003ePeru\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardness: \u003c\/strong\u003e6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale; hard, but brittle, and crystal edges chip rather than scratch\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTreatment: \u003c\/strong\u003eNone\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8.5 x 6 x 14.8 cm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.25 kg                                                                                                                                          \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNote:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eKeep it somewhere dry. Pyrite reacts slowly with oxygen and moisture, and the reaction produces sulphuric acid, which is what damages a neglected specimen over time. Do not seal or varnish it. That traps moisture in rather than keeping it out, and makes the problem worse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eYou will receive the exact piece photographed.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Crystal Showroom","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58641992155480,"sku":null,"price":335.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0778\/4880\/5720\/files\/pcp-a-1.jpg?v=1791109631","url":"https:\/\/thecrystalshowroom.com\/products\/pyrite-cluster-a-natural-peru","provider":"The Crystal Showroom","version":"1.0","type":"link"}