Gem Sphalerite on Quartz

Item Description

These super gemmy, red Sphalerites from China came out in the 1990s and promptly disappeared from the market. This handsome piece is very aesthetic and features over a dozen, isolated, gemmy orange-red Sphalerite crystals from 0.8 to 1.5 cm across placed on a contrasting and scintillating drusy Quartz veneer that covers the entire medium dove-gray matrix so that the Sphalerite crystals really stand out. There are several smaller, outlying Sphalerite crystals on the piece between 3 and 4 mm. Most of the Sphalerites are well isolated and each one of them is totally gem displaying the highest luster, and they just sparkle on the glistening drusy Quartz! The cinnamon orenge-red Sphalerites resembele bright Hessonite Garnets from the Jeffrey Mine in Quebec! An eyecatching piece! The sides, back and bottom of the piece have been sawed to improve displayability so it stands upright. This looks like a plate of red jewels...unique to this day, a find from the late 1990s. From the noted European and worldwide collection of Kurt Hefendehl. Valued $2000-2500