Sphalerite Crystal on matrix - Height: 45 mm - Width: 32 mm- 45.1 g - (1)
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Selected by Antonio Rapisarda
Holds a master’s in chemistry with 25 years’ experience in minerals consulting.
Estimate € 150 - € 200
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Sphalerite crystals on a dolomite matrix from the Troya Mine, Mutiloa, Guipúzcoa, Basque Country, Spain, weighing 45.1 g with dimensions 45 × 32 × 21 mm.
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Description from the seller
This specimen captures the essence of the Troya Mine, standing out for its chromatic contrast and the crystallographic quality of its components. The piece features a cluster of sphalerite crystals positioned on a dolomite matrix, which enhances the color contrast.
• Los Cristales: They exhibit a complex habit of crystal-face development. The most notable feature is their "gem-grade" transparency along the edges; under directed light, the crystal reveals amber and orange tones that are the unmistakable signature of this deposit.
Brightness and Surface: The faces display an intense adamantine shine, with micro-growth marks that impart a vitreous texture highly attractive to the collector.
The Matrix: The crystals rest on a base of small cream-colored rhomboids. This matrix not only provides support, but also offers the geological context necessary to authenticate its provenance.
• Association: The clean contact between sphalerite and the dolomite matrix indicates a stable hydrothermal formation, resulting in a well-balanced cabinet specimen with a high visual impact.
It is a piece of regional and aesthetic importance, indispensable for any collection devoted to European sulfides or to the rich mineralogy of the Iberian Peninsula.
This specimen captures the essence of the Troya Mine, standing out for its chromatic contrast and the crystallographic quality of its components. The piece features a cluster of sphalerite crystals positioned on a dolomite matrix, which enhances the color contrast.
• Los Cristales: They exhibit a complex habit of crystal-face development. The most notable feature is their "gem-grade" transparency along the edges; under directed light, the crystal reveals amber and orange tones that are the unmistakable signature of this deposit.
Brightness and Surface: The faces display an intense adamantine shine, with micro-growth marks that impart a vitreous texture highly attractive to the collector.
The Matrix: The crystals rest on a base of small cream-colored rhomboids. This matrix not only provides support, but also offers the geological context necessary to authenticate its provenance.
• Association: The clean contact between sphalerite and the dolomite matrix indicates a stable hydrothermal formation, resulting in a well-balanced cabinet specimen with a high visual impact.
It is a piece of regional and aesthetic importance, indispensable for any collection devoted to European sulfides or to the rich mineralogy of the Iberian Peninsula.
Details
Number of items
1
Main Mineral
Sphalerite
Mineral Form
Crystal on matrix
Supplement
SSA
Weight
45.1 g
Origin (Region/ City)
Troya Mine, Mutiloa, Gipuzkoa, Basque Country, Spain
Country of Origin
Spain
Height
45 mm
Width
32 mm
Depth
21 mm
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