Amethyst with Sphalerite ("sowbelly" polished slab) (ex Brian Kosnar Collection)

Item Description

The Amethyst Vein in Creede was an amazing area that measured three miles long and produced some incredibly memorable pieces from this famous Silver mining district. This polished slab is a good example of the well known "sowbelly" variety of Amethyst/Quartz that was synonymous with this mine. It is actually nothing more than a polished section of the actual VEIN in the mine! The specimen was mined in the 1960s, and shows beautifully banded layers of white Quartz and purple Amethyst along with some dark greenish Sphalerite. One of the most impressive features of this specimen is the fact that it is rather gemmy when backlit. The slab has a blocky shape, as it was obviously cut against other pieces from the same chunk of ore. A worthwhile piece of this now hard to find and classic material. Valued at $400-$500.