Sphalerite (rough and cut set)

Item Description

Sphalerite is known from many localities around the world in good gem quality specimens, but arguably the finest and most famous gem Sphalerites are those from what used to be called "Picos de Europa" / "Santander", but it now more accurately labeled as the Las Manforas Mine (Aliva Mine), Camaleno, Cantabria, Spain. The stone in this set is a fiery "Modified Round Brilliant" cut gem with dancing oranges hues and a high refractive index to bounce the light around every side. The stone has very very slight inclusions, and truly looks better in person than the photos might indicate. The stone is actually best viewed in sunlight. The matching specimen hosts several Sphalerite crystals with more of a reddish-orange hue sitting on contrasting Dolomite matrix. The largest crystal measures 1.6 cm, and looks beautiful when backlit. All in all, this a wonderful set of this beloved material. From what I have been told, there is very little of this material out on the market, especially in good crystallized examples. The set is priced at $1100.