Graphite (old)

Item Description

Old-time very sculptural two-sided solid graphite from an unknown Sri Lanka locale. Intergrown jackstraw highly lustrous graphite plates with classic greasy feel compose the front. The plates on the back have a distinctly different shape and look, having a clay coating. From an East Coast collection and comes with a century-old faded and water-stained label. This is a famous locale for so many species of gem crystals that one can forget it was once also important for samples of native graphite. Today, one rarely sees them on the market - and I imagine few good ones are kept even when found, given that sapphires and rubies are so obviously more valuable to the miners. While not generally well-known, Sri Lanka has produced some outstanding graphite specimens and this is a most excellent OLD-TIME example.