Sphalerite & Siderite & Calcite (Ref: 6242)

The mines around Neudorf in Germany’s Harz Mountains, and the Pfaffenberg Mine in particular, are world famous among collectors for their wonderful Galena-Siderite specimens. Looking at the ore deposits of the district, it is not surprising that the mine also produced excellent Sphalerite specimens, although these are significantly more rare and are offered less frequently. Well, here is your chance to add one of these Sphalerite beauties to your collection. A specimen with a wide-open vug in a “Fettquarz” matrix (massive Quartz not with the characteristic vitreous, but with a greasy luster), which is richly lined with dark brown to black, Sphalerite crystals up to 0.7 cm in diameter. The dark color of the crystals comes from a relatively high Iron content (the darker the color, the higher the iron content). The crystals display a vitreous luster, and the lighter colored ones are translucent on the edges. The Sphalerites is accompanied by olive-brown Siderite rhombohedrons and white Calcite. A very attractive small cabinet specimen from a classic German locality.