DT Calcite on Sphalerite and Smoky Quartz (rare old classic)

Item Description

A CLASSIC, OLD-TIME CABINET combination specimen from the famous Alston Moor District of England. This striking and dramatic specimen features a 13.3 cm, doubly terminated, translucent, honey-colored calcite scalenohedron very jauntily perched on the side of matrix. A sparkly, HIGHLY UNCOMMON treasure lies underneath and on the side of the tiny calcite crystal rind: highly lustrous, black sphalerite crystals AND a cluster of glassy, SMOKY QUARTZ crystals. The smoky quartz crystals are RARE for Alston Moor. The accompanying collector and dealer labels have slightly mis-identified the locality. The large calcite crystal is essentially pristine, except for the contacting. RARE in this size, quality and combination with the smoky quartz. The calcite with sphalerite looks like old Tri-State material, but the smoky quartz precludes Tri-State. We believe the piece is from Alston Moor, England ,as the lbaels say but could be from the famous Brownley Hill Mine at Nenthead as the sphalerites look familiar to that material. Value today???