MIX18C-34
Fluorite on Sphalerite
Elmwood Mine, Carthage, Smith Co., Tennessee, USA
Small Cabinet, 9.3 x 6.0 x 4.3 cm
Ex. Paul Zerfass
SOLD

This small cabinet specimen features a trio of perfectly formed, zoned, transparent to translucent, purple fluorite cubes perched on splendent, black sphalerite crystals. The fluorite threesome is splendid in being medium purple overall, but having a distinct dark purple zone at he very exterior and then another about 3 to 4 mm from the surface! The crystals have great luster and transparency that is slightly masked by the profuse amount of minute growth hillocks on all of the faces. The cube faces at the very top of all three crystals have several, tiny very dark spots that we attribute to haloes around tiny chalcopyrite crystals. This is a fine combination specimen seldom seen from Elmwood in this quality as the fluorite crystals are not only attractive but pristine. The brilliantly lustrous crystals of sphalerite abound with gemmy, orange-red, highlights. Ex. Paul Zerfass collection.