Siderite/Sphalerite ps. after Calcite - image 1

Siderite/Sphalerite ps. after Calcite - image 3

Siderite/Sphalerite ps. after Calcite - image 4

Siderite/Sphalerite ps. after Calcite - image 5

Siderite/Sphalerite ps. after Calcite

$9,500.00

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T

The ArkenstoneFeatured

3,403 for sale·Member since 2026

Brought out at Munich in 2006, this find of unusual and attractive pseudomorphs surprised the mineral world! This is a SUPERB specimen from a small find of pseudomorphs from the lesser known location of Aggeneys in South Africa; although they were initially sometimes labelled as N'Chwaning for some reason. It took a long time to study these and figure out what they were made out of! These very unusual, barrel-shaped crystals are actually epimorphs, i.e. casts after Calcite crystals which have been dissolved away. Microprobe analysis in South Africa by Bruce Cairncross and others shows that the shimmering, metallic-like coating is a mixture of Siderite and Sphalerite - two species intermixed. The piece is very light weight for its size and, in fact, the casts are hollow after the Calcite dissolution. The largest crystal is about 8 cm. This is one of the very few pieces that were complete-all-around and pristine from this totally unique find. This is certainly one of the best of these I have ever seen, and it is of such high quality that it was in the Liebetraus' 2012 Desautels Award-winning case (Tucson Best in Show). A rare classic, and even better in person, as it has a unique scintillating look and a sharp geometric style hard to convey in photos.