Sphalerite from Empire State No. 4 Mine, Balmat, New York, USA - image 1
Sphalerite from Empire State No. 4 Mine, Balmat, New York, USA - image 2
Sphalerite from Empire State No. 4 Mine, Balmat, New York, USA - image 4
Sphalerite from Empire State No. 4 Mine, Balmat, New York, USA - image 5
Sphalerite from Empire State No. 4 Mine, Balmat, New York, USA - image 6

Sphalerite from Empire State No. 4 Mine, Balmat, New York, USA

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This little jewel of a sphalerite is from the older finds at this famous magnetite mining district; and dates to the early 2000s. It has since been in the Dan McHugh collection. Although more specimens have come out since 2022 or so, they are entirely different from these old classics, pretty but not twinend and dramatic in crystal form. This piece is complete all around and features a transparent gem-quality twinned crystal, 1.8 cm tall, beautifully perched on other gemmy crystals of sphalerite. It is elegant, bright, shiny, and colorful. It needs almost no backlighting to sing in a display case, and the combination of golden color and shape draws the eye. For these reasons, we regard this as one of the finer competitive-level thumbnails of species and location both. It stands apart from other sphalerites from other localities; and this "twin pocket" material has not been duplicated by later mining production.

Product details

SpeciesSphalerite
SizeThumbnail
Dimensions2.5 x 1.6 x 1.2 cm
Added on07/23/2026

Current owner

Unknown Owner
Acquired
Jul 2026

Previous owners

DateCollectorAcquisition price
—The ArkenstoneNot disclosed

Learn more

Sphalerite
Mineral guide
Learn about Sphalerite
a spectrum of colors and crystal forms, resinous to adamantine luster, gemmy on matrix; prized by collectors for iconic localities and displays.
Sphalerite
Regional guide
Sphalerite from Empire State No. 4 Mine
Contribute
Locality guide
Empire State No. 4 Mine
A collector's guide to Empire State No. 4 Mine, USA: its geology, mining history and notable minerals, illustrated with the 90 specimens documented from this locality on EarthWonders.