Sphalerite with Calcite

specimen number:
8911173

location:
Showalter Quarry, Blueball, Pennsylvania, USA

description:
Gemmy orange twinned crystals of sphalerite and groupings to 0.6 cm in size scattered across the top of a matrix coated with small colorless crystals of rhombohedral calcite. In good condition, slight micro-damage present on the matrix only, the sphalerite crystals are in good condition. Neat locality example for the species. The specimen comes with a previous label from the Alton collection.

Located in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the Showalter Quarry near Blueball exposes Ordovician-age limestones and dolomites within the Piedmont province that underwent regional metamorphism and structural deformation. Hydrothermal fluids migrating through joints and faults within the carbonate beds deposited aesthetic veins of calcite, fluorite, quartz, and minor sulfide minerals. Operated commercially for crushed stone and aggregate throughout the twentieth century, the active quarry gained widespread recognition among regional collectors for producing exceptional lusterous white to golden calcite crystals, colorful purple fluorite cubes, and micro-pyrite clusters in vugs, making it one of the classic mineral collecting locations in eastern Pennsylvania.

Questions about this specimen?
Send an email or call us: 314-341-1811.