Witherite on Sphalerite - unusually aesthetic (Ruggiero Coll.)

Item Description

This is something you do not see often, an aesthetic witherite from Illinois, actually on matrix! Most tend to the clunky side. THis, however, is balanced and displayable. A very fine, 3.7 cm, witherite crystal is jauntily perched on rubyjack sphalerite, purple fluorite and matrix on this aesthetic specimen from the famed Cave-in-Rock District of Southern Illinois. The lustrous, translucent, doubly terminated witherite has classic pseudo-hexagonal form and striations. The lower termination is pristine, while the cleaving on the upper termination is out of sight. Ex Ed Ruggiero Collection of Dallas, which spanned from the 1960s to late 1980s. His collection was an excellent snapshot of the material available in that era. According to his card, he purchased this piece in June, 1976 at the Austin Show. The base has been sawed to enhance the display angle. Super white fluorescence, as you would expect!! Valued $750-950