Rare British Quartz and Pyrite Cluster Wheal Jane Cornwall Genuine UK Mineral

Description

Overview – Rare British Quartz and Pyrite Cluster from Wheal Jane, Cornwall

This listing offers a rare and genuine Quartz and Pyrite crystal cluster collected from the historic Wheal Jane Mine in Cornwall, United Kingdom. British mineral specimens of this calibre are increasingly hard to obtain, especially from former mining districts no longer producing new material. The photographs show the exact specimen you will receive, selected for its exceptional crystal clarity, mineral association, and natural aesthetic.

Every specimen is supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity, guaranteeing its genuine geological origin.

Quartz and Pyrite combinations from Cornwall are highly sought after due to their historical mining significance, attractive crystal structures, and their representation of Cornwall’s rich geological heritage.

Geological Background – Wheal Jane and the Cornish Mining Landscape

Wheal Jane, located near Truro in Cornwall, forms part of the world-famous Cornish metallogenic province. This region is celebrated for its complex network of mineral veins that developed during the Variscan orogeny, when deep geological forces created extensive granite intrusions and hydrothermal systems.

As mineral-rich hydrothermal fluids circulated through fractures in the surrounding rocks, they deposited a variety of minerals including quartz, pyrite, cassiterite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, and arsenopyrite. Wheal Jane is best known for its tin ore production, but it also yielded superb collector-grade specimens of quartz and sulphide minerals.

This Quartz and Pyrite cluster represents the geological processes that shaped Cornwall’s mining history—slow crystallisation within hydrothermal veins producing beautifully intergrown mineral structures.

Mineralogical Characteristics – Quartz and Pyrite

Quartz (Silicon Dioxide – SiO₂)

Quartz from Wheal Jane often forms in well-developed prismatic or elongated crystals, growing in radiating clusters or interlocking groups.

Key features present in this specimen may include:

• Transparent to translucent crystals, typical of Cornish quartz
• Hexagonal prismatic habit, with sharply terminated points
• Natural inclusions, adding depth and character
• Light-reflecting facets, enhancing the specimen’s brilliance

Quartz is one of the most durable minerals, with a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, and is renowned for its clarity and stability.

Pyrite (Iron Sulfide – FeS₂)

Pyrite from Cornwall is recognised for its strong metallic lustre and crystalline form.

Typical features include:

• Sharp cubic or pyritohedral crystals, characteristic of pyrite’s isometric system
• Bright, brassy-gold colour, providing strong visual contrast against the quartz
• Natural surface sheen, reflecting light beautifully
• Intergrowths with quartz, forming striking natural mineral combinations

The pairing of clear quartz with metallic pyrite creates a dramatic and aesthetically compelling contrast.

Origin Environment – Hydrothermal Mineralisation

The hydrothermal systems responsible for the formation of this quartz–pyrite cluster operated deep within the Earth’s crust during the late Carboniferous to early Permian periods. As hot mineral-charged fluids rose through cracks in the granite and surrounding slates, they cooled, precipitating quartz first, followed by sulphide minerals such as pyrite.

The result is the distinctive intergrowth seen in this specimen, representing sequential phases of mineral deposition within a stable hydrothermal vein.

Aesthetic and Collectible Value

Specimens from Wheal Jane are prized among collectors of British minerals for several reasons:

• Their historical significance in the Cornish mining tradition
• The increasing rarity of authentic, legally collected material
• The natural beauty of quartz and pyrite associations
• Their geological storytelling, capturing millions of years of mineral formation

This piece makes an excellent display specimen for mineral collectors, heritage enthusiasts, and those passionate about British geology.

Your Specimen

This Quartz and Pyrite cluster has been carefully selected for its structural quality, natural visual contrast, and excellent representation of Cornish mineralisation. The photographs show the exact specimen offered, and full sizing is included in the listing images.

Your purchase will include a Certificate of Authenticity, confirming this is a genuine British mineral specimen from Wheal Jane, Cornwall.