PYRITE MOLLUSK OR PSEUDO FOSSIL - USA

Description

ITEM #2351
This pyrite specimen formed in a layer of shale, in southwest Marion County, Indiana.  The shale in which this specimen occurred is named New Albany Shale, which is part of the Borden Group (Mississippian Age), 359 to 318 million years ago. When the shale was in the form of mud eons ago, it is believed some organic material (a twig, a bug, snail, leaf, etc.) got trapped in the mud.  While the mud was soft, the decaying material drew in iron and sulfur to combine into iron sulfide, the formula for pyrite.  Pyrite in the shape of a ball is uncommon but can be found in other locations around the world.  This location produces some of the best pyrite balls found in the world!
Seldom do I find pyrite in the almost-perfect shape of an object that is recognizable.  Most of the pyrite forms spheres or sphere-like objects that started with the remains of some organic material.  The shape of this specimen is so similar to a mollusk that it may be just that.  The problem with proving this is that the pyrite crystals that grow from the organic material can be very lopsided or unsymmetrical.  To me, this looks like a modern day clam or scallop.  This may be just a coincidence, but it certainly has an impressive shape.  The pictures don't quite do it justice.  The crystals that form this specimen range from tiny to 5/16 inch in size and are mostly of a octahedral habit.  The crystals are very bright and shiny.  This is a beautiful and unique specimen that I am sure you will treasure.
The specimen is  2 5/8 inches long, 2 1/4 inches wide, and 1 3/8 inches thick. It weighs 1.6 ounces (330g).