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Mineral Specimens with Sphalerite
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9.3 x 8.2 x 5.7 cm. This matrix specimen features several, gemmy, large bi-colored fluorite crystals. The core color is pastel green while the terminal faces are a pastel lavender. The largest crystal measures 5.0 cm across. Offsetting the fluorites, at the bottom of the specimen, are two splendent, black sphalerite crystals to 1.5 cm across.
8.0 x 5.5 x 5.0 cm. Stunning cluster of two gemmy, extremely complexly stepped and modified cuboctahedra, separated by a lustrous sphalerite cluster which each partially overgrows as they almost meet in the middle. The contrasts is striking and the 3-dimensionality more impressive in person.
14.4 x 9.4 x 6.8 cm. A complex 9 cm crystal, stretching from the top to the bottom, makes this piece leap out at you since it is one of the largest crystals I have seen from Naica. The complex stair-step crystallography here is amazing to look at, and the green fluorite so translucent that you can really look deep into it. The stark contrast of the lustrous, jet black sphalerite between the two fluorite clusters is superb and provides relief. The back side is coated with a sparkly quartz druse that slightly overlaps to the top of the piece, wrapping around.
8.2 x 5.0 x 4.0 cm. A cluster of gemmy, pastel green fluorite crystals to 4.0 cm across sit on a few splendent black crystals of sphalerite, to 2.5 cm across. The fluorite crystals are cubes that are modified by octahedral faces, and all are transparently clear right to the cores within (some speckled by included pyrite).
5.0 x 4.1 x 2.9 cm. A 3-cm "jewel" of a crystal perched on sphalerite matrix. This crystal is gemmy, translucent to transparent with a few internal veils only.
6.0 x 4.5 x 4.4 cm. A stunning miniature with a 3.5-cm complex crystal cluster atop. This looks like a mountain rising out of a nest of surrounding trees, the single large and sharp, gemmy, cuboctahedron in the middle just rising above the surrounding minutely crystallized fluorite. All perched on a nice mound of crystallized sphalerite and complete all around.
8.2 x 7.6 x 4.1 cm. One of the most striking pieces in this find that I know of, for the startling gemminess of the crystals which show bright pyrite inclusions floating inside; for the perfection of the display face; and the balanced aesthetics and contrast on bright, jet-black sphalerite matrix. This is a superb specimen by any standard, and shows the "classic" cuboctahedral habit of Naica at its best. The lustre and transparency are superb. The pyrites make it, though. Also, pieces like this are very distinct form earlier finds which had much more prominent galena association and less of the sphalerite. The rich, superb sphalerite that is more common in this pocket is really quite unusual for Naica in any quantity, and with good fluorite in association.
15 x 12 x 7 cm. A stunning combination piece with two clusters of gemmy, transparent fluorite flanking a central tower of crystallized sphalerite. The sphalerite is lustrous and glassy. The fluorites are totally clean and transparent - and free of any damage. The fluorite clusters measure 5 and 8 cm vertically, and each is terminated on the bottom end as well if you look at the undersides. The fluorite on the left is nearly colorless with a faint lavender hue, and the one on the right is nearly colorless with just a faint green pastel hue in some lighting. They are essentially colorless though, and so the geometry is all the more apparent as you look into each complex cluster. The stark contrast of the lustrous, jet black sphalerite between the two fluorite clusters is superb. Also, pieces like this are very distinct form earlier finds which had much more prominent galena association and less of the sphalerite. The rich, superb sphalerite that is more common in this pocket is really quite unusual for Naica in any quantity, and with good fluorite in association.
Sharp, gemmy crystals of sphalerite on contrasting matrix. Better in person! Nice material from finds in the mid-90s. 8.2 x 6.2 x 3.5 cm
13.5 x 9.4 x 4.5 cm. A classic and fine cabinet combination specimen from the Telluride District of Colorado. Dogtooth calcite crystals to 2.5 cm with an interesting, second-generation calcite overgrowth richly cover the sulfide matrix. A couple of pockets of iridescent, golden pyrite cubes are nearly hidden amongst the calcite crystals. A nodule of lustrous, black sphalerite crystals on the lower left finalizes this excellent Colorado combination piece, which is essentially pristine. Ex. Mullane Collection.
4.4 x 2.9 x 1.3 cm. These incredibly elegant hollowed-out galena crystals were the surprise hits at both of the recent Denver and Munich shows. They formed from a natural process of etching and are thus termed "skeletal" crystals. The two hollows on the stretched galena cube look just like two, side-by-side, open pit mines on the well-balanced matrix of lustrous, black sphalerite crystals. The adjacent galena crystal has a distinctive melted look. Truly dramatic and unusual. This is an excellent specimen. The mine is now closed.
12.9 x 11.8 x 10.8 cm. A classic, old-time cabinet combination specimen from the Alston Moor District of England. This fine specimen features a 13.3 cm doubly-terminated, translucent, honey-colored calcite scalenohedron perched on the side of matrix. A lustrous, highly uncommon treasure lies underneath and on the side of the tiny calcite crystal rind: highly lustrous, black sphalerite crystals and a cluster of glassy, smoky quartz crystals. The smoky quartz crystals are rare for Alston Moor.
16.9 x 11.8 x 6.0 cm. A superb, large cabinet plate richly and aesthetically covered with lustrous, battleship-gray, cuboctahedral galena crystals to 3.0 cm. The galena crystals are uniquely accented by a preferential coating of sparkly, tan siderite microcrystals, which gives each galena crystal an unusual segmented look. The 3-dimensional, quartz and sulfide matrix is further complimented by more siderite and a rich peppering of tiny, sparkly sphalerite and galena crystals.
4.2 x 3.0 x 2.4 cm. A showy specimen of totally gemmy, bi-colored, light sea-green and colorless, cuboctahedral fluorite crystals. Some crystals have distinct, stepped-growth faces and the piece is nicely accented by a bit of sphalerite at the base. Many of the cuboctahedral crystal faces are lightly frosted, but some are water-clear, giving a neat television-like view into the crystal interior. From the recent find at Naica.
9.7 x 7.4 x 6.4 cm. An old-time, classic and showy combination specimen from the Tri-State District of Missouri. Lustrous, brassy, bladed marcasite crystals are richly and epitaxially attached to an aesthetic, five crystal cluster of lustrous galena cubes to 3.5 cm. The galena crystals are perched on a bench of brecciated chert sprinkled with ruby-jack sphalerite crystals and one large sphalerite crystal. Ex. Mullane Collection.
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Rob Lavinsky, rob@irocks.com
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