Pyrite Suns

HISTORY OF THE PYRITE SUN
Pyrite Suns are found 300 feet below the surface in coal mines.  They have been dated as being 350 million years old, they are considered to be pyritized fossil replacements.  Coal Miners have been finding them in the mines located in Illinois ever since mining began there.  To date, this particular formation of pyrite in all the world, has only been found in the coal formations of Illinois coal mines.
They are surrounded by marine shale in a narrow seam lying on top of the coal vein. The cleaning process to take it from its raw state to the shiny object on display is a long and tedious.  Layers of slate must carefully be removed to reveal the beauty beneath.
Mineralogists speculate that they are “pyrite crystals formed between layers of slate and coal.”  The Smithsonian Instituted has researched them and proven them to be pyrite, iron sulphide.
Possible theories that have come down through the years are, mineral experts theorized  that they were fossilized sand dollars or lily pads.  Another theory is that they are pyritized replacements of an earlier fossil creature, or that they are a flattened pyrite crystal, spread out under heat and pressure in the seams of the slate.
The name Pyrite comes from the Greek word “pyr” meaning “fire.” Pyrite’s usual crystal forms are cubic, octahedron and pyritohedron.  These delightful pyrite pieces have gone by many names through time, pyrite suns, miners dollars, and fools gold.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PYRITE SUN
A pyrite sun or miners dollar is a sand dollar sized pyrite, flat with golden-like rays in the shape of a rising sun.  The hidden natural beauty of this disc shines with a beautiful luster with a myriad of crystals with gold flecks radiated out from the center. The shiny brass yellow minerals have been mistaken for gold.  It gives off the reflection of a shiny brassy yellow color.
It is an interesting geological specimen and find, it is a wonderful eye catcher in a display or just a great all around conversation piece.  It is a favorite among rock collectors, it can be used in mosaic displays, and has been used in jewelry.  It is the perfect gift for children and adults, and if you have that one person on your list, that you rack your brain trying to figure out what to buy that one person that already has everything, this is definitely the most original and fascinating gift you will find.