Beta-type Smoky Quartz, Calcite and Specularite (Belsky Coll.)

Item Description

A classic, rich and very showy two-sided combination rib from the famous Florence Mine. Gemmy, very glassy, beta-style smoky quartz crystals to 2.5 cm cover the front and are richly draped with cream to beige nailhead spar calcite crystals. Fields of scintillating black metallic plates of specularite hematite at the top and bottom add pizzazz. The back is nearly solid specularite. The matrix core is classic hematite kidney ore. Complete all-around, the noted bruising at the top is certainly only a modest detraction to this fine piece from the Howard Belsky Collection. Classic material probably recovered in the early 1970s mining operations. Choice two-sided combination material. It displays well from either side without aid.