Tilburg Summer 2007: Cosmic appearance

Septarite with pyrite crystals - as if a landscape of solid, metal coloured rock unfolds before my eye.

Pyrite is the most common of the sulfide minerals. It is usually found associated with other sulfides or oxides in quartz veins, sedimentary rock and metamorphic rock, as well as in coal beds, and as the replacement mineral in fossils. The name pyrite is from the Greek word πυρά (pura) meaning "fire". This is likely due to the sparks that result when pyrite is struck against steel. This capacity made it popular for use in early firearms such as the wheellock.

Canon Eos 350D Tamron Di 90mm macro F 32 15 sec with flash light