Iridescent Sphalerite with Chalcopyrite and Quartz (ex Harold Urish Collection)

Ballard Mine, Baxter Springs, Picher Field, Tri-State District, Cherokee County, Kansas
Miniature, 4.0 x 3.7 x 2.5 cm
Start Time: 11/01/2012 6:45:00 pm (CDT)
End Time: 11/08/2012 6:45:37 pm (CST)
Auction Closed

Item Description

A cool combo specimen from the Tri-State area featuring sharp, lustrous, metallic, iridescent crystals of Sphalerite with associated golden Chalocpyrite sprinkled all over the specimen. Additionally, a few "wings" of colorless Quartz flaring off the sides of the piece. When backlit, the Sphlaerite actually exhibits a strong red color! Ex Harold Urish Collection, and frankly one of the best of this particular material with this association I've seen from the Ballard Mine. According to Harold's label, this piece is at least 70 years old, as the mine was closed by 1940!

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