Smithsonite stalactite slices (old - classic locale)

Item Description

A fine and colorful pair of polished smithsonite slices exhibiting great lustre and translucence, strikingly different central cores, and superb variable color. These are 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. 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, both slabs are pristine. 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. While not a matched pair, these remain a coveted old-time species from this famed locale and are the last set from the small lot we received.