Marcasite-Pyrite pseudomorph after Calcite

An interesting and rare Marcasite-Pyrite pseudomorph after Calcite from Axbridge Hill in the Mendip Hills, Somerset, England, but certainly not a contender for ‘most aesthetic specimen of the year’! The Marcasite, probably mixed with Pyrite, forms a partly hollow crude cone after a scalenohedral crystal of Calcite. This was collected from the spoil heap of an old ochre mine near to an old quarry on Axbridge Hill. The specimen has an overall coating of orange-buff ochre with an earthy to glossy lustre. One for the connoisseur of Somerset mineralogy or ugly beasts, made complete with a detailed collector’s label.