Marcasite ("Sperkise") (ex Paul Zerfass Collection)

Item Description

This is a classic and fine quality example of the so-called "Sperkise" Marcasite from Cap Blanc-Nez, which has produced some of the finest examples of the species from anywhere in Europe. The term "Sperkise" refers to a specific kind of "spearhead"-shaped twin on the {101} face. The actual name comes from the German term "Speerkies" (Speer meaning spear and Kies gravel or stone). This twin is very common in sedimentary Marcasite, particularly those from the Cap Blanc-Nez. This piece is a fantastic layered "star"-shaped group of fine quality, very sharp, well-formed, golden metallic "spear"-shaped crystals in an almost "tree"-shaped form. Great quality, and the best part is that this is STABLE Marcasite that won't decompose and crumble like those from other European localities. From the collection of the long time, beloved, well-known French field collector, Paul Zerfass (Collection #962). Zerfass built this worldwide collection over nearly 50 years, many of which were personally collected. A biography featuring specimens from his collection (along with his face on the cover) is in the May - June 2017 issue of French mineral magazine, Le Regne Mineral. We have a .pdf copy of the article for anybody interested in reading it (though it's mostly in French). Just drop us a line and know that you'd like to have a copy.