Sphalerite (Bosch, Smithsonian & Whitmore Coll.)

Item Description

Lengenbach is a very famous, important locality for many rare species. Yet, perhaps the most common species is sphalerite and they are equally treasured amongst the far more rare species here. The best of the sphalerites are like jewels, like this one: translucent gemmy and with a bright brownish-amber color when lit up. This crystal is 6 mm, sharp, and protected in a slight cavity in marble matrix. This excellent old-timer was in the Carl Bosch, Smithsonian and Robert Whitmore Collections. Carl Bosch was a very prominent European collector who lived from 1874-1940. The Smithsonian purchased his collection in 1965, which numbered 25,000 mineral specimens! The ORIGINAL BOSCH LABEL and Bosch label number of 12726 indicates an older piece from his collection, prior to about 1925! Bosch never collected junk, small pieces or otherwise. Outstanding provenance and quality from a renowned Swiss location.