Sphalerite (ex Tresa Kosnar Collection)

Item Description

The Patch Mine near Central City in Colorado is one of the most classic localities on the front range. Gilpin County is the site of the first discovery of Gold in Colorado, and the Patch Mine (often referred to as the Glory Hole Mine) is a still standing landmark just southwest of Central City. This piece is features classic, sharp, semi-lustrous, opaque, black tetrahedral Sphalerite crystals creating and attractive large thumbnail specimen. Colorado collectors will tell you that obtaining specimens from Gilpin County is very difficult because the vast majority of the mining took place before WWII and good quality pieces simply are not around. A good specimen of this beloved material. Largest Sphalerite crystal measures 1.2 cm on edge. From the thumbnail collection of Tresa Kosnar (now Tresa Foster), and according to the label that accompanies the piece, it was mined on March 19, 1984.