JWL16-42
Sperrylite on Chalcopyrite
Talnakh Cu-Ni Deposit, Norilsk, Eastern-Siberian Region, Russia
Thumbnail, 2.6 x 2.1 x 1.6 cm
Ex. Rich Olsen
SOLD
In crystalline form, Sperrylite is one of the world's great platinum minerals, and quality specimens came mostly in the 1990's from a small deposit here. The half-dozen sharp, superbly lustrous, modified cuboctahedra crystals are stacked on top of an iridescent Chalcopyrite and Magnetite matrix. The crystals are VERY bright, and I had to carefully balance the reflections so as not to blow out the crystals in the picture. Suffice to say that they are mirror-like, just like you would want the Sperrylites to be. It is tremendously aesthetic, and you would be forgiven for thinking of this piece as 'The Silver Snowman' as our office does. Occasionally available in the 1990s, new Sperrylite specimens are seen less of today in the Western market, as Russia has controlled more tightly the export of strategic metals, including platinum. Terrific aesthetics, and much better in person! Superior aesthetics. ex Rich Olson collection.