Sphalerite on Quartz (ex Alex Cook Collection)

Item Description

I remember that these were some of the first Sphalerites to come out of China over 15 years ago, and the color is amazing. This piece to me has something special going on. Not only do we have a transparent sulfide with beautiful red internal color, a real rarity when you think about it, but the quality of the QUARTZ on this piece is about as good as I have seen for ANY specimen from this mine. I don't know which aspect of the specimen I like more. The sharp, gemmy, RICH red-orange color modified crystals of Sphalerite or the amazingly "wet" looking luster of the sharp, off-white, gemmy pyramidal Quartz crystals. When the Sphalerite crystals are backlit, the color they exhibit is fantastic, and truly doesn't look quite like Sphalerite from any other mine in the world. The largest Sphalerite measures 2.1 cm across. This is beautiful material, especially considering it's a transparent sulfide! There aren't many localities producing gem quality Sphalerite these days, and these specimens from Shizhuyuan are becoming more and more difficult to find. From the collection of Alex Cook, valued at $1350. Enjoy.