Fluorite with Sphalerite

Unknown Owner

Attractive large cabinet piece with gemmy purple cubic crystals of fluorite measuring to 2.3 cm on edge across the top of a crystallized black sphalerite matrix. Some damage present as seen, still quite nice and an attractive large cabinet piece.The Elmwood Mine in Smith County, Tennessee was developed in the 20th century as part of the Central Tennessee zinc district. The mine worked large replacement deposits in limestone that contained sphalerite and other zinc minerals. Modern underground mining operations produced zinc ore for many years and made the district one of the leading zinc producers in the United States.