Mineral Specimen #119 Magnetite pseudomorph after Pyrrhotite, Andradite Garnet, Sphalerite, Quartz, Calcite
 
El Mochito Mine, El Mocho, Santa Barbara Department, Honduras

There are two rather unusual aspects with this specimen. The first is the association of a Garnet with a Sulphide and an Oxide. The other curious aspect is the replacement of Pyrrhotite with Magnetite. Additionally, since this specimen is from Honduras, from where very few specimens are available, this specimen is very unique. There is also some unidentified green material on some of the Quartz. At first, it seemed this might be included Chlorite; however, I could not find any mention of Chlorite from this location. Looking at the material with a 10x loupe it appears to be adhering to the Quartz. I was told of green colored Garnet from the mine and that some specimens had both colors. It is possible the green is more Garnet.

Please disregard the pink on a few of the faces of Sphalerite in some of the pictures; I had a red shirt on when photographing - although this does demonstrate the high luster of the black Sphalerite.

10 x 6.5 x 3.5 cm