Sphalerite & Calcite

Item Description

Remarkable and colorful, 360-degree, mounded, combination hemisphere from the historic Stari Trg Mine at Trepca. Splendent, sharp, twinned, jet-black sphalerite crystals dominate much of the large domed specimen. The largest sphalerite is 1.4 cm across. Dramatically accenting and partially covering the sphalerites are clusters of calcite microcrystals with three different colors, First generation calcites are sparkly bone-white and are mostly scattered among the sphalerite crystals. The back one-third of the piece is mostly covered with light tan calcite clusters and larger spherical aggregates of burnt-orange, oxide-tinted microcrystals are dramatically scattered about. Highly variable iron content and crystal chemistry in the carbonate-rich circulating fluids. The basal attachment is noteworthy in itself, as it shows the alternating spherical growth of the sphalerite and calcite. Modest pink LW UV calcite fluorescence. Mining at the famous Pb-Zn-Ag deposit at Trepca has been documented since the late Middle Ages. Ex Les Presmyk Collection (de Natura) specimen and valued by him at $750. A very robust, sculptural, excellent and colorful combination from the famous locale.