Schalenblende carved pyramid (Stoudt Coll.)

Item Description

All four sides and the base are strikingly different on this rare carved and polished solid schalenblende pyramid from Poland. The striking concentric layers with reniform surfaces consist of alternating bands of sphalerite (brown to yellow), marcasite and galena (grey inclusions). Wurtzite (as is 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. It is regarded as a classic lapidary material. An outstanding and seldom available example from the Dave Stoudt Collection. Dave worked and lived as a geologist in Poland and made good contacts with the miners there. Definitely art in stone! This one has a nifty deep vug on one side.