Smithsonite stalactite slices (old - classic locale)

Item Description

Old-time rarities from the heyday of the fabled Greek Lavrion District mines generally considered around 1900 or earlier. They are considered classic and highly desirable. This fine and colorful pair of polished smithsonite slices exhibit great lustre and translucence, striking central cores, and superb variable color. They only come out of old collections, anymore. A highlight of old collections was to get a Lavrion stalactitic smithsonite, sliced to show the banding. Most are gray or ugly - these multi-hued beauties should be considered very rare. Highly polished on both sides, one slab is pristine. The thin veneer of drusy smithsonite on the exterior of the other is lightly bruised and has a small ding on one end. Backlit or normally lit, the slabs exhibit dense multiple lines of banding similar to that observed in famous fortification agates from Mexico or Argentina. Seldom on the market.