Sphalerite (gemmy crystals) with Chalcopyrite

Item Description

The various mines in Creede, Colorado were famous for their excellent silver specimens, along with some of the most well-known sulfides, namely Sphalerite. This showy cabinet sized specimen features dozens of brilliant, highly lustrous Sphalerite crystals measuring up to 4 mm, which might appear black in reflected light, but when they're backlit, they show excellent internal gemminess with a rich honey-gold color and small greenish-yellow flashes. Small matte golden Chalcopyrite crystals measuring up to 6 mm can be seen mixed throughout both sides of the piece. The matrix is covered with tiny grey Quartz crystals. No major damage that I can find on either side of the specimen. An attractive and now hard to find display specimen of this classic material.