Strontianite with Sphalerite and Calcite (rare combo)

Item Description

A cool association specimen featuring some of the less common minerals from this mine. The piece hosts many radial "balls" of off-white colored Strontianite measuring up to 1.6 cm across which are sitting atop partially and sculpturally etched reddish-black Sphalerite matrix, but when you look at the base and the underside of the specimen, you can see dozens of golden scalenohedral Calcite crystals measuring up to 6 mm. Up close, you can see the Strontianite "balls" are filled with tiny individual crystals which flare out in every direction. The piece is actually crystallized on all sides, and were it not for a small point of attachment on the lower back portion of the specimen, one could call this piece a complete "floater". If you collect minerals of Southern Illinois, this particular style of Strontianite with these associations is rather hard to find in my experience from the Minerva No. 1 Mine, so don't pass on this chance to pick this piece up for a bargain price. The retail tag on this specimen is $1,000 in the inventory.