Sphalerite (gemmy crystals) on Quartz

Item Description

A lovely small cabinet sized specimen featuring a superb quality, fiery red color, "Ruby Jack" crystal group of Sphalerite measuring 1.6 cm across, set right in the middle of Quartz covered matrix. The Sphalerites are all lustrous, sharp and well-formed, and they just GLOW with color when backlit. I personally love gem quality Sphalerite crystals, not just for the fact that they're beautiful, but Sphalerite is one of the few transparent sulfide minerals in nature (compare Pyrite, Galena, Tetrahedrite, etc. which are all completely opaque), and it's found in a wide range of colors. To have such a well-balanced display specimen like this with fine crystals of an alluring color with excellent internal gemminess is not easy to find from most localities, and you'll note that the Shuikoushan Mine has not produced these specimens in a few years, so if you missed out on these when they first hit the market, don't pass up the chance to get your hands on this one now for a great price. From the personal collection of Brian Kosnar, mineral dealer and collector from Colorado.