Detailed information
Species
Sphalerite, Pyrite, Quartz
Dimensions
113 x 143 x 84
mm
Weight
2620 g
Locality
Wheal Jane Baldhu, Kea Cornwall, England
Condition
No recorded repairs
This is an impressive British crystallized Sphalerite featuring excellent large crystals. These are aggregated in a large display size domed specimen. The core of the specimen is fine-grained intergrown Sphalerite and Pyrite reminiscent of a massive sulphide upon which a very thick (over 4 cm wide) layer of well-crystallized Sphalerite has grown. The Sphalerite crystals are not black, but a very dark bluish-grey with a submetallic to resinous lustre. These crystals are in excellent condition, both in terms of their shape and with no obvious damage. Two small (1 cm long) transparent smoky Quartz crystals protrude from between the Spahlerite crystals at one end of the specimen. It is not from any of the classic northern English, Scottish or Isle of Man occurrences but from the famous Wheal Jane mine in Cornwall. Fine Sphalerite crystals are uncommon in Cornwall, but Wheal Jane was one of the exceptions with this material coming out during the 1980s or 1990s workings.