LC-442
Sphalerite on Siderite on Quartz
Grube Pfaffenberg, Neudorf, Harz Mountains, Germany
Miniature, 5.5 x 4.0 x 3.0 cm
SOLD
SHARP, lustrous crystals of SPHALERITE to 1.3 cm across, perched on golden siderite! The crystal is really quite brilliant - better in person! This locality is of course classic for the world-reknowned galenas, but I would guess sphalerite is just as uncommon if not more so, since I have never seen another for sale. This would be a good miniature for any location, but its got to be damned good for Germany and for the Neudorf mines (at least in terms of what might come to market) and is certainly an old specimen. The label with it dates it to 1955, but I would assume it was mined long before. Still, the exact mine name was preserved which is unusual and nice to know.