Scheelite (fluorescent) on Smoky Quartz (circa 1800s)

Item Description

A very rich and fine specimen of lustrous, gemmy, brownish-red, pyramidal Scheelite crystals averaging 2 mm on edge. Extremely fine for this important old ore locality! The Scheelites cover much of one side of a flattened Smoky Quartz crystal, with a few on the reverse side for good measure. This excellent, old-time piece is from historic Zinnwald, on the Czech side of the fabled Erzgebirge. This classic cabinet specimen is essentially pristine and, as expected, the Scheelites exhibit a bright, attractive fluorescence. Originally acquired from A. Berger of Vienna. These pieces are part of a century-old Italian collection that was recently acquired. Its historic nature, aside from the sheer age of the specimens, is reflected in how dramatically geopolitical borders have changed since these labels were created.