Superb Schalenblende slab (classic locale) ex Stoudt Coll.

Item Description

A rare and superb, beautiful polished slab of a complete schalenblende nodule from a classic locale in Poland. The striking concentric layers with reniform surfaces consist of alternating bands of sphalerite (brown to yellow), marcasite (outer rim) and galena (grey inclusions). Wurtzite (as often reported to be a component of the Polish Schalenblende) could not be detected by XRD analysis, according to a report. The color variation of the sphalerite is due to grain size and (minor) to the iron content. It is regarded as a classic lapidary material. An outstanding and seldom available example from the Dave Stoudt Collection. Dave worked and lived as a geologist in Poland and made good contacts with the miners there. He purchased this piece in Warsaw in July, 2001, according to his catalogue and label.