Sphalerite (gemmy green crystals) (ex Kosnar and Burnett Collections)

Item Description

The Camp Bird Mine in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado is one of the most famous ore producers in the state, famous for not only its prolific gold production, but for base metals in the form of various sulfides. Two of the most prominent sulfide species from this historic locality are Sphalerite and Chalcopyrite, and this piece is a wonderful example of said material. This large cabinet display specimen features sharp, lustrous, well-formed crystals of Sphalerite measuring up to 2.3 cm which are associated with metallic brass colored crystals of Chalcopyrite measuring up to 2.0 cm with a coating of white prismatic Quartz crystals on massive Sphalerite matrix. Now the Sphalerite crystals might appear black in reflected light, but in transmitted light, some of them reveal that they are in fact GEMMY and GREEN inside! The main Sphalerite crystal on the specimen has a beautiful rich green color internally, but you have to turn it at a certain angle to see it correctly. Additionally some of the thin edges of the Sphalerite matrix show the same gemmy green interior, but only in small areas. The piece is in great condition overall, with minor roughness. You just don't see specimens of this size and quality on the market, and considering the mine has been closed for 30+ years, there's really nothing left on the market these days. Valued at $1,000+ in the inventory. From the collection of Lee B. Burnett of Morrison, Colorado (#LB462), and originally part of the collection of Richard A. Kosnar, well-known dealer and collector from Colorado, along with being the namesake for the phosphate species, Kosnarite.