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 excellent and seldom available example, from the Dave Stoudt Collection. It is in good shape with a very trivial bruise to the tip and a lightly chipped bottom corner. Dave worked and lived as a geologist in Poland and made good contacts with the miners there. Obtained in June, 1998. Definitely art in stone!