Quartz with Sphalerite

Unknown Owner

A fine specimen featuring lustrous, colorless quartz crystals to 0.5 cm, covering a matrix with sphalerite. The crystals display sharp terminations, bright luster, and excellent transparency, with very slight damage that does not detract from the overall aesthetic appeal. This piece comes from the Davis Deardorff Mine in Hardin County, southern Illinois, part of the region's historic Fluorspar District, which has been known since the early 20th century for producing well crystallized fluorite, calcite, quartz, and associated sulfide minerals. An excellent example of quartz paired with sphalerite from a noteworthy Illinois locality.