Pyrite Localities

Navajún, La Rioja, Spain – Renowned worldwide for its perfect cubic crystals, Navajún produces mirror-bright pyrite cubes so sharp and geometric they seem machined. Entire clusters form interlocking cubes in a soft marl matrix.

Huanzala Mine, Huálanca District, Peru – One of the most prolific sources of brilliant golden pyrite. Lustrous, striated cubes and aesthetic aggregates occur with quartz, sphalerite, and galena in a spectacular metallic display.

Rio Marina, Elba Island, Italy – A historic locality that has been mined since ancient times. Sharp, bright crystals up to several centimetres occur in hematite-rich rock, making Elba pyrite a European classic.

Ambas Aguas, La Rioja, Spain – Near Navajún, this deposit yields large, isolated cubes of exceptional sharpness and occasional bronze tint, often on a pale clay matrix.

Dalnegorsk, Primorsky Krai, Russia – Produces sharp, complex pyrite crystals with brilliant lustre and fascinating modifications. Often found with pyrrhotite, quartz or calcite in elegant combinations.

Le Rivet Quarry, Tarn, Occitanie, France – Known for tightly intergrown globular clusters of bright pyrite on white calcite. These fine specimens often show perfect balance and are eagerly sought.

Cornwall, England – From historic mines such as Wheal Jane, Wheal Harmony and Dolcoath, Cornish pyrite frequently occurs with cassiterite and chalcopyrite, prized for its antiquity and classic association.

Ross County, Ohio, USA – Famous for the unique pyrite spheroids and “pyrite suns”, perfectly flattened discs of radiating crystals formed in shale. These natural metallic medallions are highly distinctive.

Leadville, Colorado, USA – Classic American locality with sharp, lustrous cubes and octahedrons associated with quartz and galena. Notable for fine historical specimens.

Spruce Ridge, King County, Washington, USA – Yields attractive golden crystals with contrasting white quartz, producing beautiful aesthetic clusters.

Joplin District, Jasper County, Missouri, USA – From the famous Tri-State mining region, the pyrite forms bright clusters of striated cubes with galena and sphalerite in old lead-zinc ore bodies.

Niccioleta Mine, Grosetto, Tuscany, Italy – A European classic producing sharp, brassy crystals and clusters with subtle bronze tones, many now found only in older collections.

Greater Sudbury, Ontario, Canada – From the great nickel-copper deposits of Ontario, occasional sharp pyrite crystals occur within massive sulfide ore, making striking geological specimens.

Naica Mine, Chihuahua, Mexico – Especially from Naica and surrounding mines, pyrite forms golden cubes with fluorite, galena and calcite, often on a pale contrasting matrix.

Landsberg, Rheinland, Germany – Produces fine brassy crystals with chalcopyrite and galena. German pyrites are admired for their classic, old-world style.

Jiangxi Province, China – Recent Chinese localities such as Xiefang, De'an and Shangbao mines yield large, sharp, mirror-bright crystals, often beautifully associated with quartz, calcite and pink fluorite.

Copper Coast, South Australia – Copper-bearing deposits at Poona and Moonta mines produce attractive, small pyrite crystals in quartz veins, representing some of Australia’s finest examples of the species.

Kongsberg, Buskerud, Norway – Better known for native silver, the district also yields elegant pyrite crystals intergrown with quartz, silver and arsenides, sought after for their rarity.

Minas Gerais, Brazil – Many of the local gold deposits produce brilliant pyrite crystals, sometimes with gold and hematite. The contrast of colours and forms creates truly showy specimens.

Huaron Mine, Pasco, Peru – Another famous Peruvian source where cubic and octahedral golden pyrite clusters form with quartz, galena and sphalerite, exhibiting dazzling metallic lustre and perfection.