Gem Sphalerite & Calcite (classic locale) ex Sanabria Coll.

Item Description

A striking, beautiful, 4.7 x 3.8 cm "sail" of sharp, gem, highly lustrous golden-orange to golden-brown sphalerite crystals is dramatically set atop an impressive blocky, gray, lustrous, translucent, hexagonal calcite crystal with a blunt runneled termination embedded with a bit of matrix. One side of the sphalerites is cleaved, but is out-of-sight in the very fine primary display view. The sphalerites GLOW, when brightly lit or back lit! Sphalerite from the famous and extinct Las Manforas Mine (Aliva Mine) was often labeled as Picos de Europa or "Santander". Ex Raul Sanabria Collection, who has co-authored two excellent articles on the locality in European mineral magazines. A classic and very showy combination from the locale with a fine provenance.