Sphalerite

specimen number:
2262085

location:
Jindrichovice, Sokolov, Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic

description:
Lustrous black twinned crystals of sphalerite measuring to 1.0 cm in size across the top of a massive sphalerite matrix. Some damage present as seen.

Jindrichovice, located in the Sokolov District of the Karlovy Vary Region in the Czech Republic, is situated within the western part of the Krusne hory (Erzgebirge) mountains. Geologically, the area is characterized by a basement of Variscan granites and metamorphic rocks, notably the Nejdek granite massif, which is rich in hydrothermal veins containing tin, tungsten, and uranium mineralization. Historically, mining and quarrying activities in the district began as early as the 16th century, primarily focusing on the extraction of tin ore from greisen deposits. During the mid-20th century, specifically between 1946 and 1953, the area saw a significant period of uranium mining driven by the demands of the Cold War. While industrial-scale mining operations concluded in the late 1950s, the region remains a site of interest for geological research and the study of historic mining landscapes through 2026. The locality is well-documented for its mineral diversity, including various secondary uranium species and classic Erzgebirge sulfide assemblages.

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