Sphalerite with interesting Galena crystals

Item Description

I remember that these were some of the first Sphalerites to come out of China a little over 10 years ago, and the color is amazing. This specimen feature several sharp, lustrous, gemmy, RICH red-orange color modified crystal groups of Sphalerite up to 2.9 cm across on Quartz matrix, but perhaps the most interesting aspect of the piece is the fact that it is associated with beautiful gun-metal color, dodecahedral Galena crystals, some of which are compressed and modified to the point where they have formed unique and interesting pseudo-hexagonal "plates". 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. This is beautiful material, especially considering it's a transparent sulfide! There aren't many localities producing gem quality Sphalerite, especially with such a cool Galena association! Specimens from Shizhuyuan are becoming more and more difficult to find these days. Enjoy.