Sphalerite with Dolomite

specimen number:
8911222

location:
Las Manforas Mine, Cantabria, Spain

description:
Superb thumbnail for the species, a lustrous mostly gemmy orange red twinned crystal grouping of sphalerite is set on a small amount of dolomite crystal matrix. The piece is aesthetic, in super condition and complete all around. The specimen comes with a previous label from the Alton collection.

Situated within the rugged Picos de Europa mountains of Cantabria, Spain, the Las Manforas Mine, historically known as La Almanzora or the Aliva Mine, is carved into high-altitude limestone strata where hydrothermal mineralization filled open cavities and fractures. Commercial mining operations historically targeted the massive deposits for zinc extraction, utilizing difficult alpine routes to transport the ore. Beyond its industrial production, the mine gained legendary status among mineral collectors worldwide for producing some of the most exceptional, highly transparent, gem-quality sphalerite specimens known, often displaying brilliant reddish-brown and honey-yellow hues alongside saddle-shaped dolomite crystals within carbonate gangue.

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