Siderite and Sphalerite ps. Calcite
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From a relatively small find in 2006 from the Broken Hill Mine (misleadingly labeled as the Aggeneys Mine when they were first brought out) in South Africa, these unusual crystals are actually hollow casts after calcite that are epimorphic shells comprised of a mixture of mixture of siderite and sphalerite (some spots are more one or the other, depending on where you look). They have been extensively analyzed by Bruce Cairncross in South Africa to determine this. These are two impressive and aesthetic crystals that are variegated in color and display a subtle surface iridescence showing yellowish, greenish and reddish colors on the slightly textured, sparkly surface for tremendous visual effect! While many larger ones came out, this is a particularly aesthetic example in the size range with unusual sharpness and consistency of color - not too dark or too light, and sparkly throughout! They are distinctly scalenohedral with the largest 4.8 cm crystal being doubly terminated; and the other 2.5 cm crystals shows a prominent flat, rhombohedral termination. They exhibit a beautiful and attractive surface shimmer and (again, unlike most) have no damage. A great small cabinet example from this find! Stretch bought this when it came out, from our late friend and former partner in the early days of the mineral internet, John Veevaert (and it retains John's label). Illustrated in Collecting Pseudomorphs: The Changelings of Mineralogy (Mineralogical Record, Jan 2025) on page 61. Also illustrated in ExtraLapis #43: Pseudomorphs. Comes with a custom lucite display base. Laszlo Kupi photo.
Product details
SpeciesCalcite, Sphalerite, Siderite
SizeSmall Cabinet
Dimensions5.5 x 5.2 x 4.0 cm
Listed on08/15/2025
LocalitySouth Africa, Northern Cape, Aggeneys
SKUSYP25-32
Current owner
A
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Mineral guide
Learn about Calcite
diverse shapes, colors, and optical quirks; widely available yet scarce elite pieces from Elmwood and Charcas drive collecting value and display.Regional guide
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