Fine Schalenblende nodule (classic locale)

Item Description

A fabulous, unique-looking, sawed and polished "picture box" nodule of Schalenblende from this famous locale. Schalenblende is the striking concentric layers with reniform surfaces consisting of alternating bands of sphalerite (brown to yellow), marcasite and galena (grey inclusions). Wurtzite (as often reported to be a component of the Polish Schalenblende) could not be detected by XRD analysis, according to a report. The color variation of the sphalerite is due to grain size and (minor) to the iron content. This fantastic piece has a small normal fault in the layers above the striking reniform layers with the lustrous metallic galena and vuggy areas. The outer rind is marcasite. It is regarded as a classic lapidary material. An amazingly artistic and classic example from Poland. 700 grams mass. Ex Dr. Barratt Phillips Collection.