Sphalerite with Natrolite

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Stríbro, meaning silver in Czech, is an ancient mining area in the far west of the Czech Republic. Silver is actually not that common there, but Sphalerite is one of the other ore minerals found within the vein deposits there. This fine, cabinet-sized crystallized aggregate of Sphalerite from Stríbro, is a lovely shape - a sculptural plate, 3-dimensional in form, enhanced by a preferential coating of white minerals on certain surfaces, including the back of the specimen. The main white mineral is described on the previous collectors label as Natrolite, but that is not reported from these mines. Under magnification, this white zeolite is seen to form square-sectioned prismatic microcrystals similar to Natrolite, but a more likely identification is Harmotome. Minor Pyrite and possible Calcite is also present. There is some minor bruising to one or two of the Sphalerite crystals, but overall it displays very nicely. Ex Hans Engelbrecht collection, no. 347, with his card label.